Arsenal have completed the signing of defender Riccardo Calafiori from Bologna in a deal worth £42m.
The 22-year-old, who can play at centre-back or left-back, has signed a five-year contract with the Gunners until 2029 and he further strengthens a defensive unit that conceded only 29 goals and kept 18 clean sheets in the Premier League.
Other Premier League club, as well as Juventus and Real Madrid, tried to sign the Italy international in the last two weeks, but Calafiori only wanted a move to Arsenal and gave his word he would join Mikel Arteta’s side.
Arsenal were understood to be impressed by his desire to join the club – a desire that was strengthened in conversations with manager Arteta and sporting director Edu.
Calafiori becomes Arsenal’s second major summer signing after the £27m arrival of goalkeeper David Raya.
Bologna bought Calafiori from Swiss club Basel last summer for €4m (£3.4m), with Basel making 50 per cent of Bologna’s profit on the deal.
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