Fabrizio Romano says Mikel Arteta is a huge fan of ‘amazing’ £46m player who Arsenal are favourites to sign

Thu 4 July 2024 8:55, UK

It’s been a fairly quiet start to the summer window for Arsenal but Mikel Arteta appears to be edging closer to landing a key transfer target.

There remains plenty of work to be done for Mikel Arteta this summer after narrowly missing out on the Premier League title to Manchester City last season.

A host of fringe players look set to head out the door, with the likes of Emile Smith Rowe, Aaron Ramsdale, Reiss Nelson and Eddie Nketiah all linked with moves away from the club.

TBR Football also revealed just last month that both Kieran Tierney and Oleksandr Zinchenko have been told they are free to leave.

This will likely lead to Arsenal strengthening their options on the left-hand side of Arteta’s back four and Riccardo Calafiori seems to have emerged as the club’s preferred target.

The Bologna star turned plenty of heads with his performances at Euro 2024 before Italy were knocked out by Switzerland in the last 16.

Reports have already claimed that Arsenal are readying a bid for the defender, which could be worth up to £46 million.

Now, Fabrizio Romano has shared the latest on Calafiori’s potential switch to the Emirates Stadium and claims Arteta is a huge fan of the Italian centre-back.

Arteta is a huge fan of Riccardo Calafiori

Speaking in his latest video, Romano claimed that despite interest from Chelsea, Arsenal are the current favourites to land Calafiori.

The 22-year-old has already given the green light for a switch to north London and it’s now down to Arsenal to agree a suitable fee with Bologna.

“Both clubs [Arsenal and Chelsea] are really interested in Riccardo Calafiori. Who is ahead right now? Arsenal. Because Arsenal have presented their proposal to Calafiori, a contract proposal, a long-term deal. The salary is not an issue at all because Calafiori is on a normal salary at Bologna so that’s not going to be a problem,” Romano said.

“But Arsenal also presented their project to the player and the player is open to joining Arsenal in case they can reach an agreement with Bologna. So, there is already a green light from Calafiori to Arsenal.”

The transfer insider also added that Chelsea are prepared to approach Bologna with a player-plus-cash deal to sign Calafiori.

“Chelsea are still there but Arsenal are the favourites at this moment,” Romano went on. “Mikel Arteta has already approved the player. Arsenal have a shortlist with three names for that position [left-footed defender] playing at left-back or centre-back, Calafiori is exactly what Arsenal need in that position and they want to bring in in the summer transfer window. Now, waiting for the next step.

“So, something between the two clubs, Arsenal and Bologna. This is the crucial step, this is the crucial point. For sure, Riccardo Calafiori gives his green light to Arsenal because he also knows Juventus are almost no longer in the race.”

“And with the green light of Mikel Arteta, who is a big fan of Calafiori and keen on bringing him to the club. Now, it’s on the clubs. The relationship between Arsenal and Bologna is very good after the [Takehiro] Tomiyasu deal years ago.”

Arsenal have huge advantage over Chelsea in Calafiori race

Arsenal and Chelsea have often locked horns over transfers in recent years, with the likes of Mykhaylo Mudryk and Moises Caicedo springing to mind.

But the Gunners seem to be in a commanding position when it comes to landing Calafiori over their London rivals.

The Blues also missed out on Champions League football last season and will instead be competing in the Europa Conference League.

Calafiori will surely be keen to play amongst Europe’s elite next term after such an ‘’ year with Italy and Bologna.

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Fabrizio Romano says Mikel Arteta is a huge fan of ‘amazing’ £46m player who Arsenal are favourites to sign

Arteta is a huge fan of Riccardo Calafiori

Arsenal have huge advantage over Chelsea in Calafiori race