Riccardo Calafiori Set for Arsenal Move as Medical Nears

Defender Riccardo Calafiori is poised to undergo a medical with Arsenal, with his transfer from Bologna nearing completion. The Gunners plan to integrate the 22-year-old Italy international into their squad for the pre-season tour in the United States.

Arsenal’s pre-season schedule includes a match against Bournemouth in Los Angeles on Wednesday, followed by a game against Manchester United on Saturday. They will conclude their tour in Philadelphia with a fixture against Liverpool on 31 July.

Calafiori made a significant impact at Bologna last season, scoring two goals and providing five assists in 30 Serie A appearances, contributing to the team’s fifth-place finish and qualification for the Champions League. He also featured prominently for Italy in the group stages of Euro 2024, although the team was eliminated by Switzerland in the last 16.

A product of Roma’s academy, Calafiori transferred to Swiss side Basel in 2022 before moving to Bologna for £3.3m the following season. His imminent move to Arsenal marks the next step in his promising career.