Italian defender Riccado Calafiori has boarded a plane set for London as he travels to England to complete his move to Arsenal.
Article continues below
Article continues below
Article continues below
Calafiori to join Arsenal from BolognaDefender becomes first Gunners summer signingArsenal set to face Man Utd on SaturdayWHAT HAPPENED?
Calafiori is set to end weeks of transfer speculation by finally completing his £42 million ($54m) move to the Gunners following an impressive season for Bologna and European Championship with Italy. The defender will complete medical tests before signing his contract to begin his new chapter in north London. Arsenal saw off competition from Juventus and Chelsea to agree terms with the Italian, who is capable of playing at both left-back and centre-half.
AdvertisementTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Calafiori was been identified by Mikel Arteta as a key target this summer and central to his desire to "upgrade everything" as the Gunners dream of finally beating Manchester City to the Premier League crown. The defender was pivotal to helping Bologna qualify for the Champions League for the first time in 60 years and had been expected to reunite with Thiago Motta at Juventus before Arsenal pipped the Bianconeri to his services. Having secured their man, Calafiori travels to London and then will join the rest of Arteta's squad in the US.
DID YOU KNOW?
Despite playing in the middle of defence for both Bologna and Italy the past year, Arsenal may look to make the most of his qualities at full-back. Calafiori broke through at Roma as a left-back and, given that position was an Achilles' heel in Arsenal's side last season, he may provide an adequate antidote. Although, his versatility could mean he lines up alongside William Saliba at the heart of defence when Gabriel Magalhaes is not available.
WHAT NEXT FOR ARSENAL?
Calafiori will not join the club in time for their clash against Manchester United on Saturday. The Gunners will look to offer a glimpse of what their season could look like as some of their key players return to training from international duty. Although both sides are far from full strength, Arteta and Erik ten Hag will not take this game lightly.
