breaking news;Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta Must Convince Arsenal Chiefs On Calafiori.

According to David Ornstein, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is ‘a big fan’ of Bologna defender Riccardo Calafiori, who the Gunners have identified as their top defensive target.

Arsenal is looking to bolster their defensive options ahead of another hard season, and they have set their sights on Calafiori, who Bologna values at roughly £43 million.

The Gunners have already made touch with the Serie A club about signing the 22-year-old, who is coming off a breakout season for both club and country.

According to Ornstein, Calafiori would add versatility to Arsenal next season, as the left-footed defender can play centre-back, left-back, and as an inverted full-back.

Calafiori, who has been regarded as ‘world-class’, recently shined at Euro 2024, although Italy was knocked out in the round of 16.

However, Bologna technical director Giovanni Sartori has previously stated that Calafiori is unlikely to join any of the Serie A opponents this summer, as he ‘will go to a different market’.

The 22-year-old is likely to depart Bologna less than a year after joining; his outstanding season helped the team qualify for the Champions League for the first time in history.

Arsenal Manager ‘Hopeful’ of Calafiori Deal
He could need to convince the club.

Ornstein, writing for The Athletic, stated that Arteta ‘would seek to press ahead’ with Calafiori’s signing, but he may need to convince the club that a potential £43 million deal is good business.

“Arteta is a great fan of Calafiori, and the Bologna defender is the club’s main defensive target as they attempt to bolster what was already the Premier League’s meanest back line last season.

“The 22-year-old is left-footed and can play as a left-back, centre-back, or inverted full-back, a position Arteta has embraced in recent seasons.”

“With Italy now out of the Euros and Arteta and some of the players back from their summer holidays, the manager will hope to press ahead with the signing, though he may need to convince others within the club that the deal represents good business.”

Arsenal are expecting another busy summer following last year’s record-breaking signing of Declan Rice.

Arsenal will try to upgrade numerous areas of the pitch in order to catch Manchester City and win the Premier League title next season, including maybe acquiring a new centre-forward.

After missing out on Benjamin Sesko, the Gunners quickly identified their next target, Calafiori, as he prepares to leave Italy for the Premier League this summer.

GMS recently reported that the 22-year-old has already given ‘the green signal’ over a summer switch to the Emirates, as Arsenal attempt to fend off interest from London rivals Chelsea and Tottenham in the race to sign Calafiori.

The Gunners are considering three departures to fuel their shopping spree.

Sky Sports journalist Dharmesh Sheth has told GIVEMESPORT that Arsenal will explore offers for Eddie Nketiah, Albert Sambi Lokonga, and Reiss Nelson this summer.

The Gunners will want to unload some first-team outcasts in the coming months to fund their shopping spree ahead of the new season.

The trio have struggled for playing time in recent seasons under Arteta, and Sheth claims negotiations over Lokonga’s departure have already begun.