This article was originally written on July 8th.
Something that the Italy national team head coach Luciano Spalletti said during the EURO 2024 campaign suggests that he will be pleased by Riccardo Calafiori’s imminent move to Premier League heavyweights Arsenal.
Why Calafiori’s Arsenal move will please Spalletti
Before Italy took on Croatia in the final group stage match in Germany, Spalletti hinted that he would like to have players with experience from a number of different leagues across Europe.
“All national teams have players who play in every top team. Actually, we are a team that needs to have players who go aboard and make an experience in top teams in Europe,” Spalletti said during his pre-Croatia press conference at the end of June.
Calafiori is set to gain that experience abroad once his move to Arsenal becomes official.
Though the Gunners have not yet secured a deal with Calafiori’s current employers, Bologna, they expect to have an agreement wrapped up this week. The player himself has reportedly already agreed upon personal terms.
The 22-year-old is expected to move to the Premier League for a fee in the region of €50m plus add-ons, which is over twice as much as Bologna’s record sale. Simone Verdi currently holds that accolade from his €25m move to Napoli in 2018.