“One of the best” in his league now wants to join Arsenal after Calafiori

The player, dubbed “one of the best” in his league, now thinks Arsenal are the best move he can make this summer, and believes their style of play suits him perfectly.

Arsenal signed Riccardo Calafiori for Arteta

The Gunners, after weeks of negotiations, have finally signed defender Riccardo Calafiori from Bologna.

Fabrizio Romano has shared the news that Arsenal have agreed a £34 million deal with Bologna to sign Calafiori, which includes an additional £4 million in add-ons and a sell-on clause.

The Serie A side have also held talks with FC Basel over the terms of the Swiss club's 50 percent sale of Calafiori, but it now appears that the 22-year-old will join Mikel Arteta.

This has put Jakub Kiwior's future in doubt, as Calafiori will come in and actually take his place in the first team. Like Kiwior, the Italian full-back can play at center back and left, sporting director Edu Gaspar has found a high-level development.

Calafiori, who helped Bologna qualify for the Champions League last season, has also emerged as one of Italy's best players at Euro 2024 and narrowly missed out on a suspension when the Azzurri were beaten by Switzerland in the Last 16.

With the central defensive ace secured, attention now turns to how Edu and the recruitment team can bring Arteta back, ahead of a third successive Premier League clash with Man City.

Arsenal are in the market for a new midfielder as one of their key targets ahead of the August 30 deadline, with Real Sociedad star Mikel Merino attracting their attention following his exceptional Euro 2024 campaign.

The 28-year-old, who is in the final year of his contract with Sociedad, is widely tipped to leave the La Liga club and could be available for as little as £25 million.

Mikel Merino wants to join Arsenal as the perfect destination

Spanish news outlet Noticias De Gipuzkoa has an update on the pursuit of the former Newcastle star, and it's interesting.

They write that Merino thinks Arsenal are a good fit for him and wants to join, coming after Arteta made an apparent bid to sign for London Colney. The Spaniard considers Arsenal his best destination, despite interest from Atletico Madrid, Barcelona and rivals Chelsea.

As a result, Arteta's side are described as the “best placed” side in the race to sign Merino. The midfielder has played for Sociedad for a few years now since his move from Newcastle, making 45 appearances last season and scoring eight goals and providing five assists in all competitions.

Recruitment and performance analyst Marcus Bring has even called Merino “one of the best players” in La Liga in the past, making him one to watch.