Arsenal’s Edu unveils Arsenal transfer shortlist as summer window begins
Arsenal has moved into pole position in signing a club’s key player after submitting a more attractive bid than Ligue 1 giants Paris-Saint-Germain.
With more than a fortnight into the summer transfer window, Gunners sports director Edu has been one of the least active transfer managers in the Premier League thus far.
The Gunners were approached.
Despite the numerous reports, Arsenal have yet to complete a summer acquisition, with the exception of goalkeeper David Raya, who arrives from Brentford in a deal worth roughly £27 million after spending 2023/2024 on a season-long loan at Emirates. Arsenal are apparently looking for a new goalkeeper to replace Aaron Ramsdale, who is expected to leave, while Edu is also looking for a new defender, midfielder, and attacker (Simon Collings). Arteta’s side almost missed out on a first Premier League crown in 20 years last season, despite pushing eventual champions Manchester City up to the final day, and the north Londoners are now trying to string together the final pieces of a winning formula.
Arsenal are looking to sign a new centre-back, despite conceding the fewest goals of any top-flight team last season. Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba have been at the heart of Arteta’s defence since the start of 2022/2023, but the Spaniard appears to desire a star replacement. Arteta has three possibilities to cover Saliba and Gabriel: Takehiro Tomiyasu, Ben White, and Jakub Kiwior, however the three are generally preferred as makeshift full-back choices. This has resulted in increased interest in Bologna star Riccardo Calafiori, who is also coming off a strong performance at Euro 2024. The Italian was a disappointment for Luciano Spalletti’s team against Switzerland in the round of 16, although he impressed in the group stages.
Arsenal is in pole position for signing Calafiori after the strongest offer.
On his personal website, Sky journalist Gianluca Di Marzio provides an update on Arsenal’s well publicized attempts to sign the 22-year-old. PSG, Chelsea, and Bayer Leverkusen are also vying for Calafiori, according to him, but the Gunners are “closer and closer”.
Edu and co. have presented a stronger vision and a more “intriguing offer” to the player and club, putting Arsenal ahead of PSG and their London rivals in the race to recruit Calafiori.
The following several days are considered as critical, and the operation will not be inexpensive. Di Marzio claims Calafiori will cost £42 million to remove from Bologna, which is consistent with previous reports.
