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Arsenal join the race for standout EURO 2024 defender this summer
- Arsenal wish to strengthen their defence in the summer transfer window
- Mikel Arteta has his eye on one standout player from the EURO 2024
By Kian Long
Arsenal will be active in the summer transfer window. Mikel Arteta has gone the last two seasons falling annoyingly short in the Premier League and with their second season back in the Champions League, they would like to push further in both competitions. With that in mind, the summer transfer window presents a golden opportunity to bring in some fresh blood.
With the halt from domestic football, all eyes will be on international tournaments. Most notably for those in Europe, there is the European tournament ongoing right now, with the knockout stages in full swing. So far, there has been one giant killing with Italy, who are the current holders of the trophy, coming home.
From Arsenal's perspective, this means they will welcome back Jorginho to training when they see fit. It is a boost from Mikel Arteta's perspective, since he values Jorginho highly and given the Italian's recent contract extension, probably has high expectation of him for the new season.
However, Jorginho could soon be welcomed by his international teammate in North London, if today's transfer reports are anything to go by...
Arsenal join the race for standout EURO 2024 defender this summer
According to Express, Arsenal are one of four Premier League clubs to be in the race for Riccardo Calafiori. The Bologna defender is under contract until 2027 but given his performances at EURO 2024, is understandably a defender in high demand. Arsenal will need to battle Chelsea, Liverpool and West Ham if they wish to sign Calafiori.
Calafiori is just 22 years old but if his recent performances are anything to go by, he has an incredibly high ceiling. Under contract until 2027, this summer could be the time for Calafiori to earn his justified step up and playing under Mikel Arteta could certainly put Calafiori on a pedestal to achieve.
His strongest position is, without a doubt, at centre back. However, much like Ben White, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Jurrien Timber and Jakub Kiwior, he is also capable of playing as a full-back. This season, the Italy international has helped out at left-back, a position which Arsenal could strengthen this summer.
The centre-back partnership of William Saliba and Gabriel seems pretty unbreakable. However, Calafiori should not be undermined since he would bolster the security of the defence tenfold. He is an aggessive player who plays on the front foot, a player who Mikel Arteta seems to like.
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Do you think Arsenal should push forward with their Riccardo Calafiori interest?