Arsenal have confirmed the siging of Italy international defender Riccardo Calafiori from Bologna on a long-term deal for a fee believed to be in the region of £42m.
Calafiori becomes Arsenal’s second major summer signing in this summer’s transfer window after the £27m arrival of goalkeeper David Raya whose loan move from Brentford was made permanent.
The Gunners beat off interest from reigning UEFA Champions League holders Real Madrid, Serie A giants Juventus, and an unnamed Premier League club to sign the versatile 22-year-old defender.
Calafiori caught Arsenal’s eye thanks to his competence in playing in central defence or as a left back, as Mikel Arteta hopes to have sorted what critics felt was one of the Gunners’ weak links.
The defender was one of Bologna’s outstanding performers in Serie A last season on their way to a fifth place finish, reaching the UEFA Champions League for the first time in history.
Calafiori’s form earned him a call-up to the Italy national team for Euro 2024 where he put in a solid display as Italy made it to the Round of 16 stage before crashing out to Switzerland – a match he didn’t play due to suspension from two yellow cards in the group stage.
Now, he may be in line to feature for his new club when they face Liverpool on August 1 in Philadelphia in Arsenal’s final game on their tour of the United States.