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Arsenal looks set to complete a deal for Riccardo Calafiori in the coming days. The Gunners recently agreed a final fee with Bologna regarding the Italian defender late last week. The two sides were previously locked in negotiations for weeks. Nevertheless, the Premier League side will pay Bologna a flat transfer fee of $43 million for the Italy international. An additional $6 million could also be sent to the Italian club as part of the package.
Other top teams such as Real Madrid, Juventus, and Chelsea tried to swoop in to hijack the move while Arsenal negotiated with Bologna. Calafiori, however, only had eyes for the Gunners.
The defender is currently on vacation, but he is set to take the first part of his Arsenal medical in London. Assuming all goes well, the Italian will then meet up with his new teammates in the United States. The Gunners are currently touring America as part of their summer preseason preparations. Calafiori will sign a five-year deal with Arsenal.
Calafiori answers weak spot in Arsenal defense
The defender has fans across Europe. However, many Arsenal fans believe that the Gunners do not outwardly need Calafiori. After all, the Gunners had the best defense in the Premier League last season. Arsenal only allowed 29 total English top-flight goals in the 2023/24 campaign. To put this defensive domination in perspective, rivals such as Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea, and Manchester United all allowed at least double this figure.
The north London club also has Oleksandr Zinchenko as their typical starter at left-back. While Calafiori can play in either central defense or out on the left, manager Mikel Arteta will almost certainly deploy his recruit at left-back. Zinchenko only arrived at Arsenal in a $38 million move from Manchester City two years ago.
While the Ukrainian is liked inside the club, he does have his issues. For starters, Zinchenko has suffered six separate injuries since joining the team. As a result, the…
Source link : https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/despite-reservations-arsenal-right-to-target-new-defender/
Author : Chris Moore
Publish date : 2024-07-25 16:01:22
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