With Riccardo Calafiori, Arsenal gets a defender who can do everything.
This was said by TalkSPORT presenter and former Chelsea striker Tony Cascarino before the Italian defender’s move to the Emirates.
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The Pitch Prospect has learned that the Gunners have reached an agreement in principle with Bologna to sign the 22-year-old.
The value of the deal is expected to be initially £34 million, rising to £38 million through additional services.
A post purportedly from his girlfriend circulated on social media claiming that he had joined, but she later denied that the post came from her account.
The north Londoners already boast William Saliba and Gabriel as a centre-back pairing, both of whom were rock-solid in Arsenal’s bid to topple Manchester City last season.
Cascarino told Weekend Sports Breakfast: “If Arsenal can do a £40 million deal for a centre-back that many clubs have had their eyes on and wanted, then that is a fantastic addition to the club.”
“He has everything. He is really calm, but he also has a bit of Sergio Ramos in him.
“He gets the ball and finds passes really easily. You can play him in a three-man or two-man formation. He’s really versatile and I think he’s a great addition to Arsenal.”
European football expert Lars Sivertsen says Calafiori is still a perfect addition – and the versatile star doesn’t just play as a central defender.
He said: “A very confident defender who played as a left-back in his youth.
“I think most people will remember him this summer as he marched forward with the ball for Italy as they secured a last-minute draw with Croatia.”
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Calafiori joined Bologna last summer and helped the club to fifth place in Serie A last season, after finishing ninth the previous season.
Under head coach Thiago Motta, he was moved to the centre-back position, where he developed into one of the best players in the league, making 37 appearances in all competitions, scoring two goals and providing five assists.
He maintained his new role for Euro 2024, bursting forward from central defence and passing to Lazio winger Mattia Zaccagni, who scored the last-second equaliser to break Croatia’s hearts.
“That’s pretty telling,” said Sivertsen. “He’s a pretty confident guy, he used to play as a left-back and so he’s confident when it comes to getting the ball forward from the defense.”
“He’s a good defender too. You can probably use him as a left-back if you want. I think he’s a really interesting addition to Arsenal.”
“I think he is good enough to play in the first team and he gives them the option in two different positions.”
Although his career was still young, the defender had already gained experience outside of Italy before appearing on Arsenal’s radar.
Sivertsen continued: “A really interesting player. He has had a somewhat circuitous path to reach the level he is at now.
“He was under contract with Roma. He comes from Rome and was part of the youth team, but never made the breakthrough there.
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“Then he went to Switzerland to play for Basel, which was a strange thing for a young, promising player.
“But he found his rhythm there and was part of the great Bologna team that surprised a lot of people in Serie A this season.”
Calafiori’s contract with Bologna expires in June 2027.
Arsenal are yet to sign anyone this summer but continue to be linked with another Euro 2024 star, Nico Williams.