Arsenal are now in pole position to snare the signature of Bologna and Italy centre-back Riccardo Calafiori after, according to TuttoMercatoWeb, Mikel Arteta and Co made offers to both him and his Serie A employers, which the Italian club will find ‘impossible to refuse’.
Despite having William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes and even Jurrien Timber and Jakub Kiwior - both of whom can be utilised centrally - at his disposal, the Spanish tactician is keen to bolster his defensive ranks ahead of 2024/25, a season earmarked as another chance to knock Manchester City off their perch.
After finishing five points off the pace in last campaign's all-intense title race, tightening up their back line could be the difference maker come August. And given how well Calafiori performed in the summer in Germany, combined with his ever-growing status among football's elite, the Rome-born star could be the perfect acquisition.
GIVEMESPORT Key Statistic: Arteta has racked up a points per match ratio of 1.97 during his time in charge of Arsenal, winning 140 of his 231 games at the helm.
The Italian publication, via SportsWitness, have reported that Bologna have ‘said yes’ to a bid made by the north London-based outfit, which is believed to be around the €50 million mark, and Calafiori himself is on board with the project presented to him.
Corriere di Bologna, however, have played down the aforementioned report, suggesting that following Arsenal’s rejected €47 million, they are yet to return to the negotiating table with a revised offer. Calafiori, however, does have his ‘suitcase packed’ and will be making the jump from his native Italy to England in the coming days.
After a more-than-impressive Euro 2024 campaign with Italy, plenty of top Premier League clubs had circled around his signature - notably, Liverpool and Chelsea - but it seems as if Arsenal have stolen a march on their competitors in the race for the 2002-born ace’s services.
Among those interested in his signature, Arteta’s side are currently leading the pack following their proposal of a five-year deal - worth €3.5m - for the highly-rated centre-back. The consensus among reports is that Calafiori's switch from Serie A to the Premier League could be signed, sealed and delivered ‘within a few hours’, or - at the latest - by the coming weekend.
In 2023/24 alone, the 22-year-old - described as 'world-class' - played 2,780 minutes of action across all competitions and finished as his side’s top Serie A assistor, having set up a teammate on five different occasions.
Arteta Remains Interested in Martin Zubimendi
North Londoners looking for Partey replacement
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta celebrating and how Martin Zubimendi would look in a Gunners shirt
Another position that is in need of reinforcements should Arteta and Co be serious about their 2024/25 title charge is central midfield, particularly from a defensive standpoint. The future of Thomas Partey is hanging in the balance and Real Sociedad's Martin Zubimendi emerged as an embryonic target in the lead-up to the summer transfer window opening for business.
Previously, reputable journalist Ben Jacobs told GIVEMESPORT that Arsenal's pursuit of the Spaniard could hit a stumbling block thanks to his undying love for the club, the lifestyle and its all-round culture - but now, according to journalist Charles Watts, the north Londoners are still interested in trying to lure Zubimendi, an eight-cap Spain international, away from his boyhood club.
Zubimendi (23/24), Rice (23/24), Partey (22/23) - League Stats
Statistic
Zubimendi
Rice
Partey
Minutes
2,655
3,232
2,487
Goals/Assists
4/1
7/8
3/0
Pass success rate (%)
86.4
90.7
88
Aerials won per game
1.4
1
1.1
Tackles per game
1.6
2.2
2.1
Interceptions per game
1.2
1.2
0.8
Clearances per game
1.7
1.3
1.2
Overall rating
6.88
7.38
7.06
The Gunners' interest stems from the midfield technician's glittering 2023/24 campaign for Sociedad, one in which saw him feature a total 45 times, plundering four goals across all competitions as the Basque club secured a spot in the Europa League. As such, the 25-year-old has reportedly €60 million (£50 million) release clause slapped on his head - and whether any would-be buyers are willing to trigger it remains unknown.
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