Riccardo Calafiori is all set for his Arsenal move on a five-year deal. He has been Arsenal’s top priority since last year. Finally, the move is taking place as per reports from renowned journalist, Fabrizio Romano. The Italian defender will reportedly get a salary of € 42 million (approximately $45.6 million) which includes € 5 million (roughly $5.4 million) bonuses as well.
Riccardo Calafiori is a young talent. At just 22 years old and currently playing for Bologna FC in the Serie A Italian league, the new signing will look to impress. He is already considered a ‘Great Italian Veteran’ by many of his countrymen. So, it seems that Arsenal may have foreseen a long-term plan when they are about to sign him. Mikel Arteta had given a green signal for his signing a long time ago in an interview.
Riccardo was a key player in Bologna FC’s team. He helped his team a lot to finish fifth in the Serie A league which secured them a spot in the upcoming UEFA Champions League season for the first time in 60 years. He scored two goals and also provided five assists during the whole campaign portraying that his stats are impressive even as a defender.
Playing style and impact in Gunners’ squad
The new Premier League player is a left-footed defender. He is a top defender and offers a lot of versatile behavior on the pitch as he can adapt to both center-back and left-back positions. This quality enables him to pair up with either William Saliba or Ben White; also he can handle the spot of Zinchenko if he is to come as a star-sub into the team.
The young Italian defender loves to create space from deep central defensive positions, carry the ball forward confidently, and make a lethal pass into the penalty area for someone to get a touch into the back of the net. He also is an expert when it comes to ball distribution in the wide areas throughout the field.
Upcoming transition
These are the reasons which make him the most promising young player in the Italian side. He is a master in short passing and takes no pressure from the opponent’s forward-line players, his calm on the ball allows him to make an accurate pass in those heated-up situations. He has a sharp game awareness, which secured him the most times possession player of the year in the Bologna FC’s side.
Although it is going to be tough for Riccardo Calafiori as he routes his way to London, he has what it all takes to become a great player. It won’t be that easy for him to retain his guaranteed place in the starting XI but he will have to work hard under Mikel Arteta and with the bunch of players in Arsenal.
Other clubs were interested in potentially signing
Several elite European clubs have shown interest in signing the young Italian international. Giants of Spain; Real Madrid and Barcelona kept a watch on the player. The top club in England and a domestic rival of the Gunners in London, Chelsea was also one of them to show keen interest. However, Riccardo’s decision to choose Arsenal might be because of their upcoming project for the Premier League campaign. Arsenal look up to find their way to clinch the long-awaited Premier League title. They proved to be the toughest competitor to Manchester City in the previous season but just lagged two points behind the Manchester Blues, who finished at 91 points, and Arsenal at 89.
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