Arsenal have been strongly linked with a move for Bologna defender Riccardo Calafiori, following some impressive displays at Euro 2024.
Italy were eliminated by Switzerland in the round of 16, a game in which Calafiori was sorely missed as he served a yellow card suspension, having been their shining light in the group stages.
Arsenal appear to be advancing in a deal to sign him, having earned the green light from the player, who has also been linked with Juventus and Chelsea.
Many may question the risk of signing a player on the back of an impressive International tournament, but Calafiori also enjoyed a standout campaign for Bologna, who qualified for the Champions League, and one performance in particular may have alerted Mikel Arteta to his quality.
Riccardo Calafiori dropped masterclass for Bologna against Juventus in May
Bologna drew 3-3 with Juventus in May in a clash which could have seen Thiago Motta’s side overtake his future one, and Calafiori was the player of the match by some distance.
Playing at centre-back, Calafiori opened the scoring in the second minute, firing a rebound from a set-piece into the top corner, and this got the ball rolling for the home side.
He was a rock at the back, winning six of his eight ground duels and recovering the ball seven times, but his quality also showed in possession.
Calafiori completed 100% of his 62 passes, but these were not just sideways layoffs to his partners at the back. Four of these were successful long balls, whilst he also created a chance and completed two dribbles, and looked as cool as a seasoned veteran when in possession.
With Bologna leading 2-0 in the second half, Calafiori then added the icing on the cake, finding himself through on goal, and pulled off a sublime dink with his weaker right foot to place the ball over Wojciech Szczesny to double his goal tally for the season.
Perhaps the most telling thing about his impact on the Bologna team is that Calafiori was substituted in the 75th minute, with his side 3-0 up. 11 minutes later, the score was 3-3, and his presence at the back was sorely missed.
Why Calafiori’s performance against Juventus shows he is perfect for Arsenal
One of the 22-year-old’s best qualities is his ability to drive the ball forward, with a combination of strength and flair not often seen in defenders.
His performance against Juventus came from centre-back, but he could have had a similar impact from the flanks or midfield. His composure on the ball, as well as his quality in progressing it and his tenacity in the challenge, makes him the ideal hybrid between Oleksandr Zinchenko and Jakub Kiwior.
Calafiori has performed superbly against top sides in Serie A and in an International tournament, and he can reprise the left-back role he played at Basel if he moves to the Emirates this summer.
Although his popularity has risen due to his Euro 2024 displays, Arsenal will have been aware of Calafiori in the months leading up to the tournament, and this is a target borne out of profile, rather than a reactionary decision based off three games for Italy.
