Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has confirmed that the club is actively working to strengthen specific positions as they near the signing of Italy defender Riccardo Calafiori. The 22-year-old, currently with Bologna, is valued at approximately £34 million.
While Arteta, speaking in Los Angeles during Arsenal’s pre-season tour of the United States, provided no update on the progress of the deal, sources indicate that negotiations are advancing positively and are expected to conclude favorably.
In addition to bolstering their defense, Arsenal is also focusing on central midfield improvements as they aim to surpass their performance from the past two seasons, where they finished second behind Manchester City.
“We have to,” Arteta said, addressing the need for improvement despite the team’s near-flawless seasons. “When you are so close you want to grab it.”
Arteta emphasized that achieving perfection in the Premier League requires heightened standards and that the focus is on both enhancing the squad’s resources and appreciating the current players.
As Arsenal’s players return for pre-season training, they will complete their schedules after facing Bournemouth, Manchester United, and Liverpool. Players like Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka, who were involved in Euro 2024 with England until 14 July, will join the team at a later date.
Notable in Euro 2024 was Saka’s penalty shootout goal against Switzerland in the quarter-finals, which marked a significant moment following his previous tournament’s final defeat by Italy. “I was very nervous,” Arteta acknowledged. “What happened a few years ago plays back in your mind but he showed a lot of guts and determination and composure to take it the way he did.”
Arteta highlighted Saka’s evolving role, noting, “Bukayo’s role is constantly growing and evolving, he is a super important player for us and one of the main players for the national team.”
