Arsenal urged to complete Serie A transfer to replace Mikel Arteta signing

Arsenal have been told why they should be looking to sign Bologna defender Riccardo Calafiori this summer.

The summer transfer window only officially opened on Friday and already the Gunners are being linked with several potential new signings.

Striker is the main area of the squad that has been the focus of the majority of the speculation, but there are other areas of the squad that could also see reinforcements this summer.

Calafiori plays as a centre-back for Bologna but is also capable of performing as a left-back when required. Mikel Arteta already has experience signing such players with Jakub Kiwior offering such versatility, while Arsenal signed Takehiro Tomiyasu from Bologna in 2021.

This summer will see Italy defend their crowd at Euro 2024, which is being held in Germany over the next few weeks. Calafiori is part of the Italy squad and could play a key role at the tournament, which could lead to interest in his signature.

Former Italy international Massimo Ambrosini has explained why he is predicting Calafiori to move to the Premier League this summer. Ambrosini also believes Calafiori, 22, would be a good addition to Arsenal’s squad and could replace Oleksandr Zinchenko at left-back, despite predominantly being a central defender.

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“Riccardo Calafiori, from Bologna. He has had an incredible season,” Ambrosini told OLBG when asked which Italian player could next join a Premier League club. “For me, he has everything to play at the top level and be in top Premier League squads in the future.

“He can play at centre-back, at left-back and under Thiago Motta in Bologna he started to move into midfield and even play like a striker, he has everything.

“He loves playing with the ball, Bologna were one of the first or second teams in the Italian league for possession so I think Arsenal would be perfect for him.

“He could play in the middle or on the left, maybe in Oleksandr Zinchenko’s role. It would be perfect for him.”