Arsenal officially announced the signing of Riccardo Calafiori. The Italian defender joins Arsenal for up to 42 million pounds from Bologna FC. We discussed this potential transfer in an earlier article, but now it is done.
This is an exciting signing for the Gunners. Additionally, Emile Smith-Rowe has left Arsenal to join fellow London club Fulham for up to 34 million pounds. Without further ado, let’s discuss these topics.
Arsenal 2024 Summer Part 7: Riccardo Calafiori Joins Arsenal
Riccardo Calafiori is now officially an Arsenal player. As stated previously, he joins the Gunners in a transfer that is worth up to 42 million pounds. The final stage of the negotiations took a bit longer than expected due to the discussions between Basel FC and Bologna FC regarding the sell-on clause in Calafiori’s Bologna contract.
Calafiori had an excellent 2023-24 Serie A campaign with Bologna. Additionally, after that, Calafiori also played well with Italy at the 2024 European Championship. Switzerland eliminated Italy in the round of 16, but Calafiori’s brilliant performances at Euro 2024 brought more attention to him. Reports also indicate that Calafiori wanted to join Arsenal more than any other club. This is encouraging, since several big European clubs wanted to sign him.
Calafiori is a versatile player with good passing, excellent defensive ability, physicality, and high football IQ. He can play at center-back, left-back, and possibly even in midfield. This signing at a reasonable fee provides Arsenal with more quality depth in defense. Hopefully, Calafiori will be able to play for Arsenal in a preseason game prior to the start of next season.
Emile Smith-Rowe Leaves Arsenal to Join Fulham
Reports indicated that Fulham were interested in signing Emile Smith-Rowe from Arsenal. Fulham and Arsenal have now completed that transfer. Arsenal receives 27 million pounds guaranteed with another seven million pounds in potential future add-ons. Smith-Rowe is a talented player, but injuries derailed his career with the Gunners.
This move makes sense for everyone. Smith-Rowe would likely not play much for Arsenal next season and he fits well at Fulham. Arsenal receives a good fee for a player who had become more and more of a fringe player in recent years. Smith-Rowe helped the Gunners through some difficult early parts of Arteta’s time at Arsenal.
Hopefully, Smith-Rowe will stay fit and revitalize his career. He deserves appreciation and respect from every Arsenal fan.
Arsenal 2024 Summer Part 7: Arsenal Makes Progress in Signing Mikel Merino
Following Smith-Rowe’s departure from Arsenal, the Gunners now move forward with trying to sign Mikel Merino from Real Sociedad. Reports indicate that Merino has already agreed personal terms with Arsenal. Merino has contributed 20 goals and 28 assists in 190 La Liga games with Real Sociedad since joining them from Newcastle in July 2018.
Additionally, Mikel Merino excelled at Euro 2024 with Spain as the Spaniards won the tournament. Merino scored a late winner against Germany to propel Spain to the semifinals of Euro 2024. He was crucial to Spain’s success at Euro 2024. This book details part of that success.
Merino is a technically gifted, left-footed central midfielder who has the physical profile and passing skill to improve this Arsenal side. Gabriel Martinelli in particular would like benefit from Merino joining the club. Signing Merino would help balance Arsenal’s right-hand and left-hand sides in an attacking sense.
Arteta also likes Merino’s professional attitude and his role as a leader at Real Sociedad. His current Transfermarkt value is 50 million pounds, although the Gunners can likely sign him for less than that since his current contract expires after next season. We will see what happens with this.
The Gunners Have Another Preseason Game Tonight
Arsenal will play another preseason game as part of their US tour tonight. This time, it will be against Liverpool. Hopefully, the Gunners play well and avoid any injuries as they prepare for the start of next season.
Check back next week for more Arsenal content.