Arsenal’s summer transfer window is set to get underway in earnest when they complete the signing of Riccardo Calafiori from Bologna.
The centre-back was one of the stars of Euro 2024 in what was an otherwise disappointing Azzurri team, but he had been excelling long before this in Serie A. No doubt he is a player Arsenal have been monitoring for quite some time.
What has been impressive about the Gunners’ work, though, is the ruthless efficiency with which they have completed a deal that will be worth around €59 million (£50m). It is something Manchester United and Sir Jim Ratcliffe to learn from.
In barely a couple of days, Arsenal have stepped up their interest in the 22-year-old Calafiori, and are “increasingly close” to completing a deal, according to reliable transfer expert Gianluca Di Marzio.
Italy exit from Euro 2024 was their trigger from which to move, but his profile had no doubt been identified as someone the club wanted some weeks before. The European Championship may have been the confirmation of the fact he was the left-sided centre-back they wanted.