Arsenal look set to seal their first signing of the summer.

After a lot of speculation around Arsenal adding a new striker or a new midfielder to their ranks this summer, it looks as though Mikel Arteta’s first signing in this transfer window will be a new centre-back.

Indeed, Riccardo Calafiori has been strongly linked with Arsenal in recent days, and it’s said that a deal to bring the Italian to north London is now all but done.

Arsenal have won the race to sign Riccardo Calafiori

According to Gazzetta, Arsenal have won the race to sign Riccardo Calafiori and the negotiation is now closed.

A deal is said to have been agreed for €53m (£45m), which is slightly less than what it was reported by some outlets that Arsenal had bid on Friday.

Arsenal did face some strong competition for Calafiori – Chelsea, PSG and Real Madrid were all linked at different stages, but now, the Italian looks set to become an Arsenal player.

Where Riccardo Calafiori fits at Arsenal

The ‘talented’ defender looks set for a move to the Emirates, and it will be interesting to see where he fits into this Arsenal team.

Gabriel Magalhaes’ spot at centre-back appears to be very safe, but there could be a slot open at left-back.

Indeed, Mikel Arteta no longer seems to trust Oleksandr Zinchenko in that position, while Jakub Kiwior didn’t quite manage to establish at left-back there last term.

Calafiori is very much of that Josko Gvardiol and Nathan Ake mould in that he’s a centre-back capable of playing at left-back, and that’s precisely what Mikel Arteta seems to want in that position.

It will be interesting to see where Calafiori plays for Arsenal, but, by all accounts this will be the Gunners’ first new signing of the summer and an announcement could come in the next few days.

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