Arsenal-bound Riccardo Calafiori once picked Premier League rival over William Saliba during challenge as old video resurfaces
Riccardo Calafiori is seemingly close to sealing a move to Arsenal this summer. As per ESPN, he is set to undergo a medical in the coming days to become Mikel Arteta's first signing in central defense in this window.
If a move is finalized, Calafiori could be in line for an interesting encounter with William Saliba. Recently, a video posted on@cronache_di_spogliatoio's TikTok account has resurfaced where the Italian can be seen picking between some of the best central defenders in the world (via Sport Bible).
Calafiori picked Dias over Gleison Bremer, Virgil van Dijk, Antonio Rudiger, David Alaba, and Alessandro Bastoni before he was asked to pick between the Portuguese and Saliba. Without wasting any time, he picked Dias.
Watch the challenge below:
Calafiori's stocks have risen massively in a relatively short period of time. With 15 clean sheets in 30 Serie A appearances last season, he helped Bologna qualify for the UEFA Champions League in his debut season at the club.
On the back of his impressive showings in Italy, the 22-year-old was picked in Italy's UEFA Euro 2024 squad. He appeared in all three of their group-stage games in Germany but was suspended for their 2-0 Round-of-16 loss against Switzerland.
Riccardo Calafiori has previously admitted to liking two of Arsenal's fierce rivals
Riccardo Calafiori previously expressed his admiration for Arsenal's direct London rivals West Ham United and Chelsea. In an interview with the aforementioned Italian source in 2022 (via Football.London), the then-FC Basel player talked about his future plans.
Calafiori said:
"My other dream would be to play in the Premier League [his first dream being a return to Italy]. I really like West Ham or Chelsea."
Calafiori achieved his first dream with a €4 million transfer to Bologna in 2023, when he signed a four-year contract. The AS Roma youth product is now reportedly on his way to the Premier League, with Arsenal having agreed on a £38 million (€45.05m) transfer fee with I Rossoblu.
Calafiori will not have it easy if he wants to be a regular starter in Mikel Arteta's defense. Alongside William Saliba, the Spaniard has Jurrien Timber, Ben White, Jakub Kiwior, Gabriel Magalhaes, and Takehiro Tomiyashu to choose from in that position.