Arsenal Secures Calafiori in £42m Deal to Bolster Defense
- Arsenal has signed defender Riccardo Calafiori from Bologna in a transfer worth £42 million.
- The 22-year-old Italy international, capable of playing both centre-back and left-back, chose the Gunners despite interest from Real Madrid and Juventus.
- This signing marks Arsenal's second major acquisition of the summer.
Arsenal Football Club has announced the signing of 22-year-old defender Riccardo Calafiori from Bologna for a reported fee of £42 million. The versatile player, who can operate as both a centre-back and left-back, has committed to a five-year contract that will keep him at the club until 2029. This acquisition aims to enhance Arsenal's already formidable defensive lineup, which last season recorded only 29 goals conceded and achieved 18 clean sheets in the Premier League. Calafiori expressed enthusiasm about joining Arsenal, emphasizing the importance of daily improvement and his eagerness to contribute to the team's success. When questioned about his preferred position on the field, he stated that he is open to playing wherever needed, focusing on his development and readiness to support the squad. Manager Mikel Arteta shared his excitement regarding the new signing, highlighting the team's previous struggles with defensive depth. He noted that Calafiori's determination to join Arsenal and his willingness to enhance the squad are qualities that the club values highly. Arteta believes that Calafiori's skill set aligns perfectly with the tactical evolution the team aims to achieve. Arsenal's defensive prowess was a key factor in their successful campaign last season, where they also set a club record with 91 goals scored in the Premier League. As the summer transfer window approaches its deadline on August 30, Arsenal continues to focus on strengthening their squad ahead of the new season.