Arsenal 'increasingly closer' to completing first summer signing for €50m: Reports
Arsenal are reportedly closing in on signing Bologna defender Riccardo Calafiori this summer. According to Sky Sports journalist Gianluca Di Marzio, the Gunners will get this deal through by paying the Italian club €50 million.
The reports come in when several other European sides have shown an interest in signing the 22-year-old central defender. Liverpool, West Ham United, and Juventus have all previously expressed a desire to sign the Italy international, as per La Gazzetta dello Sport (via GOAL).
Should this deal go through, it would be a clear stamp on the north Londoners' recent philosophy of investing in young talent. Calafiori is a left-footed centre-back, something manager Mikel Arteta has been very particular about at the Emirates.
He currently deploys William Saliba on the right side of central defense while using the natural left-footed Gabriel on the other side. However, this could also prove to be a challenge for Calafiori, who would face competition for minutes from Gabriel.
It's unlikely that Arteta would want to change anything in these areas after the rock-solid partnership between Saliba and Gabriel. The pair contributed to their team conceding the least goals in the Premier League (29).
However, this would be a step in the right direction for Calafiori, who could challenge for top honors with Arsenal. To date, he has made 43 appearances in Serie A, bagging two goals and seven assists.
Calafiori was recently away with his country at Euro 2024, where Italy suffered a Round of 16 elimination at the hands of Switzerland (2-0).
Arsenal interested in signing versatile Barcelona defender - Reports
Arsenal have reportedly made contact with Barcelona over discussing a potential move for their defender Jules Kounde this summer. It is believed that a move for the France international would cost the Gunners around €60 million (via Planet Sport).
However, as per the report, the Blaugrana have requested time to assess their needs before taking a call on letting Kounde leave. Last season, he made 48 appearances across competitions for the Catalan giants, bagging two goals and four assists.
Arsenal's interest in Kounde seems to fit the bill, given Mikel Arteta has approached players who can cover multiple positions. The 25-year-old does just that, given he can play in central defense and also as a right-back.
However, Kounde might struggle for minutes at the Emirates, with Ben White and William Saliba already occupying his preferred positions.