Riccardo Calafiori set for medical ahead of Arsenal transfer

Riccardo Calafiori will soon undergo a medical with everything agreed ahead of his prospective transfer to Arsenal from Bologna, a report has revealed.

The Gunners have only confirmed the permanent signing of David Raya as an incoming arrival this summer but have chased Italy international Calafiori over the past few months and now look set to announce the deal imminently.

The Athletic report that a transfer fee, personal terms and all other arrangements have been agreed between Arsenal and Bologna, with the centre-back ready to link up with Mikel Arteta's pre-season squad for their tour of the United States.

Tune in to 90min's YouTube channel as Harry Symeou gets the expert lowdown on Riccardo Calafiori from Italian football journalist Alessandro Eremiti.

Serie A side Bologna, who shocked the rest of Italy by qualifying for the Champions League under former manager Thiago Motta, left Calafiori out of their pre-season training camp in anticipation of his move to north London.

Their squad has also been hit with the departure of Joshua Zirkzee, who has linked up with compatriot Erik ten Hag at Manchester United, while Motta has since taken charge of Juventus.

Calafiori's arrival will add quality to what was the best performing defence in the Premier League last season. Ben White, William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes were all regulars in the back four, while Oleksandr Zinchenko, Jakub Kiwior and Takehiro Tomiyasu all had spells at left-back.

The 22-year-old largely played at centre-back during the 2023/24 campaign and featured in Italy's back three during Euro 2024. He impressed during the group stage but was suspended for their last-16 exit at the hands of Switzerland.

Calafiori's availability for pre-season will be a big boost for Arteta, who saw Japan international Tomiyasu go down with an injury on the eve of their trip across to America. The squad is based in Los Angeles ahead of their first friendly of the summer against Bournemouth on Thursday morning.

READ THE LATEST ARSENAL NEWS, TRANSFER RUMOURS & GOSSIP