Arsenal will be desperately hoping to announce a marquee next signing this week that has dominated Edu and Mikel Arteta’s minds for the first month of the summer window.
Though the Gunners have already confirmed two transfers, with Tommy Setford joining David Raya as a goalkeeper addition, focus has primarily been on Riccardo Calafiori. A breakout season with Bologna, followed by some superb displays at Euro 2024, saw major transfer interest emerge.
Juventus were clear favourites for his signature before Chelsea, Liverpool and then Arsenal entered the race. In just a few days, it became very clear arriving at Emirates Stadium was his priority which saw personal terms swiftly agreed and talks with Bologna begin.
Those developments occurred several weeks ago though, with concerns emerging that negotiations were not advancing and had stalled. However, an agreement has now been reached, as per transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, which will see Arsenal pay €40million (£37.9m) to Bologna with a further €5million (£4.2m) available in add-ons and a sell-on clause inserted into the contract.
