Riccardo Calafiori posts social media message saying 'dreams coming true'

Arsenal look set to make Riccardo Calafiori their second signing of the summer. David Raya made his loan move permanent last week, becoming the Gunners' first summer signing for £27million.

Calafiori has been representing his country at Euro 2024 this summer and while Italy did not have a great time of it, he did impress. Playing at centre-back or left-back, his versatility will be key if he signs for Arsenal.

Bologna have put a £42million price tag on the 22-year-old's head after he helped them qualify for the Champions League by finishing fifth in Serie A last season.

The Italian side are demanding the full amount, as they have to pay somewhere between 40% and 50% to Calafiori's old club Basel as per their sell-on clause. Arsenal are understood to have reached an agreement with the player over personal terms, but there remains a discussion over the price and the nature of the instalments, with Bologna unlikely to budge.

Calafiori would certainly be a perfect signing for Arteta, who wants to strengthen in all areas of the pitch this summer. And Arteta is looking for players who can fill a variety of different positions.

Calafiori's versatility will be seen as a key strength for Arteta, who knows he needs strength in depth to challenge Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table again this coming season.

After being knocked out of Euro 2024 by Switzerland, Italy's players have gone on holiday before they return to pre-season training with their clubs. Arsenal will be hoping to tie up a deal before Calafiori can go back to Bologna and meet up with his teammates.

A deal looks set to be completed soon, but for now the young defender is enjoying some much needed down time. and he will have set a few tongues wagging with a post to his official Instagram page if people saw only the caption and not the video he posted with it - how could you possibly do that though?

Calafiori is in the Maldives enjoying a relaxing break and posted a video of him and what would appear to be his girlfriend swimming in the clear blue sea with a sea turtle. The caption read: Little dreams coming true.

It may well be that a big dream, to play in the Premier League with Arsenal - having dropped a hint over a move - may soon come true too.