Arsenal are closing in on a deal to sign Riccardo Calafiori from Bologna, but whilst interest from Mikel Arteta may have been recent, there was a surprise connection dating back over three years. Calafiori only joined Bologna from FC Basel last year, having come through the ranks at AS Roma, but after an impressive Euro 2024 campaign, Arsenal beat off competition from Juventus and Chelsea to sign him. The 22-year-old has enjoyed an unconventional career path. After failing to make the grade at Roma and spending time at Genoa, he spent a year at Basel before returning to Italy with Thiago Motta…
