Riccardo Calafiori reveals £42m Arsenal transfer was decade in the making and current Gunner helped sway deal

ARSENAL have announced the signing of Riccardo Calafiori from Bologna for a fee of £42million – and it’s been a decade in the making.

The Italian defender joins the Gunners after a drawn out transfer saga, starting during Euro 2024.

ARSENAL TRANSFER NEWS LIVE: All the latest deals and rumours from the Emirates

The versatile defender impressed for Italy during the tournament and had a superb campaign for Thiago Motta’s Bologna last term.

He was a crucial part of Motta’s team, helping Bologna achieve a fifth place finish – securing Champions League football for the coming season.

Calafiori has penned a five-year deal at the Emirates – bolstering an already strong back line.

The 22-year-old revealed he’d been dreaming about the move for a decade: “It feels amazing. It was tough until now but finally we’re here and I cannot wait to train with the team and play for the fans.

“It’s actually been my dream since I was 12 or 13, because I can see the level of the league here and the best players in the world, for me, play here.

“It’s a dream. I spoke a lot with the coach and with Edu, and they convinced me — but I was already convinced by myself.”

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said: “We welcome Riccardo and his family to Arsenal. He is a great signing and gives us huge strength to reinforce our defence.

BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS

“Riccardo is a big personality and character, with specific skills which will make us stronger as we push to win major trophies.

“He has already shown great development in recent seasons with his performances for both Bologna and Italy, with his progression and development in the past year being really impressive.

“We’re looking forward to working with Riccardo, integrating him into the squad, and supporting him in the years to come.”

And Gunners’ sporting director Edu added: “It has been a great team effort in completing this transfer and we welcome Riccardo to the family.

“We identified Riccardo as part of our strategy to sign players who fit our profile and will reinforce our squad to compete at the highest level.

“He is 22 but brings quality and experience. He will quickly grow into being an Arsenal player.

“Riccardo has consistently shown his quality for his club and country. He was one of the best players in Serie A last season, and gave strong performances for Italy in the Euros this summer.

“Mikel and our coaches are excited to start working with Riccardo, and we all look forward to seeing him in our shirt.”

Calafiori will wear the number 33 for his new club, a shirt number occupied previously by players such as Petr Cech and Arthur Okwonko.

He has already joined up with his new teammates in the US, where the north Londoners are currently undergoing pre-season preparations.

Calafiori revealed that Italy team-mate Jorginho played a role in the transfer.

He said: “It’s the best project for me for the next few years.

“I met Jorginho one month ago but I can see he’s a good guy.

“I was already convinced but he forced me. He said: ‘Come, come, come! You will enjoy being here’.”

Calafiori began his playing career at Roma, where he made just 18 appearances after graduating from the club’s academy.

He later left to join Genoa on loan before making a permanent exit to sign for Basel in 2022.

After one season with the Swiss club, he was snapped up by Bologna last summer.

But his meteoric rise continued meaning just 12 months later he has been poached by the Gunners.

Miraculously, Clafiori did all of that in spite of a near career-ending injury during his teenage years.

The Italian didn’t play for 347 days following a surgery when he was just 16 years old – fighting back to make it to the top.

Arsenal face Liverpool in a pre-season friendly in Philidephia on Wednesday night, a game which could offer Arsenal fans a first glimpse at their newest arrival.

Incomings often come with the caveat of outgoings, however.

And it looks like Arsenal will soon be parting ways with Hale End graduate and fan-favourite Emile Smith Rowe.

The 24-year-old is understood to be set to join London rivals Fulham after the Cottagers agreed a club record deal of £34m to sign the midfielder.

Smith Rowe has been left out of the frame for Arsenal’s pre-season clashes against Man Utd and Bournemouth with boss Arteta citing background movement as the reason for his absence.

He said: “There are things happening in the background at the moment.

“We decided the best thing to do was to keep him away from the game today.”