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<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Calafiori to join Arsenal from Bologna</li><li>Defender becomes first Gunners summer signing</li><li>Arsenal set to face Man Utd on Saturday</li></ul>

Riccardo Calafiori is Arsenal-bound! Italy star boards flight to London as he prepares to complete £42m transfer from Bologna

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<p>Calafiori is set to end weeks of transfer speculation by finally completing his £42 million ($54m) move to the Gunners following an impressive season for Bologna and European Championship with Italy. The defender will complete medical tests before signing his contract to begin his new chapter in north London. Arsenal saw off competition from <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/riccardo-calafiori-roma-wonderkid-career-almost-never-began/atsfkk23ku95158c8vi6ub7a2" target="_blank">Juventus </a>and Chelsea to agree terms with the Italian, who is capable of playing at both left-back and centre-half.</p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>Calafiori was been identified by Mikel Arteta as a key target this summer and <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/mikel-arteta-outlines-arsenal-s-transfer-plans-gunners-close-in-on-italy-star-riccardo-calafiori/bltcff177299f4fb27b" target="_blank">central to his desire to "upgrade everything"</a> as the Gunners dream of finally beating Manchester City to the Premier League crown. The defender was pivotal to helping Bologna qualify for the Champions League for the first time in 60 years and had been expected to reunite with Thiago Motta at Juventus before Arsenal pipped the Bianconeri to his services. Having secured their man, Calafiori travels to London and then will join the rest of Arteta's squad in the US.</p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">🚨🔴⚪️ Riccardo Calafiori, on his way to London with his agents — all set for medical tests with Arsenal!<br><br>Here Calafiori with Chairman &amp; founder of WSA Agency Alessandro Lucci and CEO Alessio Ceccarelli.<br><br>🇬🇧🛫 <a href="https://t.co/aVDZJ4TYXi">pic.twitter.com/aVDZJ4TYXi</a></p>— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) <a href="https://twitter.com/FabrizioRomano/status/1817130040917627003?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 27, 2024</a></blockquote>
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THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>Despite playing in the middle of defence for both Bologna and Italy the past year, Arsenal <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-us/lists/riccardo-calafiori-mikel-arteta-project-proved-jose-mourinho-wrong-solve-arsenal-left-back-conundrum/bltceca007146d6dcfe" target="_blank">may look to make the most of his qualities at full-back</a>. Calafiori broke through at Roma as a left-back and, given that position was <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/ajax-wonderkid-jorrel-hato-rule-out-summer-arsenal-transfer/blt3966b360b601f00e" target="_blank">an Achilles' heel in Arsenal's side last season</a>, he may provide an adequate antidote. Although, his versatility could mean he lines up alongside William Saliba at the heart of defence when Gabriel Magalhaes is not available.</p>

DID YOU KNOW?

<p>Calafiori will not join the club in time for their clash against Manchester United on Saturday. The Gunners will look to offer a glimpse of what their season could look like as some of their key players return to training from international duty. Although both sides are far from full strength, Arteta and Erik ten Hag will not take this game lightly.</p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Riccardo <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Calafiori?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Calafiori</a> is flying to London to join <a href="https://twitter.com/Arsenal?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Arsenal</a> <a href="https://t.co/2DohTqAASh">pic.twitter.com/2DohTqAASh</a></p>— Gianluca Di Marzio (@DiMarzio) <a href="https://twitter.com/DiMarzio/status/1817134216347279557?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 27, 2024</a></blockquote>
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WHAT NEXT FOR ARSENAL?

Riccardo Calafiori is Arsenal-bound! Italy star boards flight to London as he prepares to complete £42m transfer from Bologna | Goal.com UK

Italian defender Riccado Calafiori has boarded a plane set for London as he travels to England to complete his move to Arsenal.