Arsenal are interested in signing Italian star Riccardo Calafiori after an impressive season at Bologna, The Pitch Prospect has learned.
The Gunners are looking to strengthen their defence this season and have compiled a list of potential targets.
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The Pitch Prospect has learned that Bologna star Calafiori is among them, but no progress has been made in negotiations.
Last season, Mikel Arteta and his team finished second behind Manchester City for the second time, a position the Spaniard would like to improve.
And signing a new defender is one of his priorities, despite having the best defensive performance in the Premier League last season.
Calafiori has become a sought-after player during the transfer window after impressive performances for Italy at Euro 2024.
Although the winner of the 2020 European Championship played a weak tournament and was eliminated in the round of 16, the 22-year-old was a bright spot for the Azzurri.
It follows an impressive season at Bologna, where the defender played a major role in the club’s respectable third-place finish in Serie A.
Bologna will play in the Champions League for the first time, but the club is facing an exodus, with coach Thiago Motta already moving to Juventus and star striker Joshua Zirkzee in talks about a spectacular move to the Premier League.
Calafiori is also likely to leave the club, with Arsenal leading the race for the former Basel star.
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However, several clubs are interested in the Italian, including Chelsea, Liverpool and Real Madrid.
Calafiori has been praised for his versatility as a left-back and centre-back, and has been praised for his ability to operate in a hybrid role, moving from an inverted position into midfield, which has quickly become a key tactical decision for some of the top teams in Europe.
Juventus were reportedly favourites to sign him, but Bologna director Giovanni Satori believes he will end up abroad.
“I don’t think he will end up going to Juventus,” said the club’s boss. “He can probably go abroad if we decide to sell him.”
“We would like to keep Calafiori, so let’s see what happens.”
Meanwhile, Arsenal midfielder Albert Sambi Lokonga could move to Sevilla, possibly permanently or on loan with an obligation to buy.