Arsenal transfer rumours: Gunners close in on Riccardo Calafiori

Arsenal's Premier League season ended in disappointment for the second season running as they lost out on the title to Manchester City once again. 

However, this time it did go down to the final day and the North London side lost out by just two points. 

Arsenal have already started their business as they made David Raya's loan move from Brentford permanent last week. 

They're now looking at adding depth to the back line which kept the most clean sheets in the league last season, with the Gunners reportedly closing in on the signing of Bologna's highly coveted defender Riccardo Calafiori. 

The 22-year-old plays centre-half and was part of the Bologna side that qualified for the Champions League for the first time in 60 years, while he was also part of the Italy squad for Euro 2024.

While Arsenal have two of the best centre-halfs in the league in the form of William Saliba and Gabriel, it seems that Arteta wants to add depth to the area. 

However, Calafiori initially started out as a left-back and played there while he was at Basel before he made the switch to centre-half prior to his Bologna move. The position of left-back was a problem for the Gunners last season, so the Italian's versitility will be another asset for Arteta's men should he make the move. 

His attacking stats are impressive too, his tally of five assists last season was the best for any defender in Europe's top five leagues, which could offer the Gunners something from an attacking perspective.

It's highly rumoured that the Italian wants the move to North London despite interest from Chelsea and Juventus

If the transfer does go through then the defender could make his debut when Arsenal face Wolves in their Premier League opener on August 17.