Riccardo Calafiori Close to Joining Arsenal

Riccardo Calafiori valued at around £34 million is nearing a signing from Bologna, as Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta confirms the club’s efforts to strengthen “certain positions.” In Los Angeles, at the start of Arsenal’s U.S. tour, Arteta said there was “no update” on the 22-year-old’s deal. He provided no new information about the transfer. However, sources indicate that they are progressing well in talks for Riccardo Calafiori and expect a positive conclusion. In addition to bolstering their defense, Arsenal is also targeting improvements in central midfield.

Arteta stressed the need to strengthen the squad to overcome recent near-misses where they finished second to Manchester City. “We have to,” Arteta said about the need to improve. “When you are so close, you want to grab it. Perfection in this league requires different standards related to winning the Premier League and that is what we have to aim for. There is still a lot of time left in the window, and while that is more a question for the board, we know there are certain positions we want to improve. But the main focus is to fall in love with the players we have.”

Arsenal’s players are returning for pre-season in stages. The squad will return to London after matches against Bournemouth, Manchester United and Liverpool. Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka will join the team later. They return late because they played in Euro 2024 with England which ended on July 14. A key moment in the tournament was Saka’s successful penalty in the quarter-finals against Switzerland. This win helped him move past the disappointment of missing a penalty in the previous final against Italy.

Arteta praised Saka’s composure and determination. “I was very nervous,” Arteta admitted. “What happened a few years ago plays back in your mind, but he showed a lot of guts and determination to take it the way he did. Bukayo’s role is constantly growing and evolving. He is a super important player for us and one of the main players for the national team.”

In summary, Arsenal is actively working to enhance their squad, especially in defense and midfield as they prepare for the upcoming season. They are focused on integrating both current and new players with optimism for the year ahead.