Arsenal Transfer News: One In, One Out With Gunners Set To Close Calafiori & Smith Rowe Deals

By The Editor
on 25th July 2024

Smith Rowe close to exit…

 

Arsenal are looking to close two deals as Mikel Arteta’s squad takes shape for the new season with outgoings and incomings the order of the day.

The Athletic reported on Thursday afternoon that a total agreement had been reached with Bologna for the signing of defender Riccardo Calafiori who’ll now travel to the US to complete the formalities of his move before joining his new teammates for pre-season.

The deal, which is rumoured to be around €45 million, will represent our first major signing of the window as Arteta once again strengthens his defence.

Since his arrival, Arteta has added a major signing to his backline, indicating how important he sees that area to the way we want to play football. While some may view it as a negative trait, a team aiming to build out from the back must have players capable of beating the opposition’s press without sending the ball aimlessly forward.

There is a feeling that Calafiori will slot in as a left-back in Arteta’s team given the rotation we saw in that position last season. However, the boss’ main choice for that role arrived last summer and suffered a season-ending injury on his debut.

While it might seem far-fetched, one suspects that Jurrien Timber is the manager’s preferred left-back, and Calafiori has been brought in to replace Gabriel. It would create a shock in the fanbase similar to the one caused when Arteta replaced Aaron Ramsdale with David Raya.

Elsewhere, The Athletic’s David Ornstein also reports that an agreement is close between Fulham and Arsenal for the sale of Emile Smith Rowe for a fee in the region of £35 million.

That would represent sensational business for us in this era of ‘pure profit’ and allow Smith Rowe to seek first-team football at a Premier League club in London.

While some romanticise about what could’ve been and circulate compilations of the England international form three seasons ago, that player no longer exists.

The 23-year-old returned from a growth spurt and subsequent groin surgery a different player and has looked of the pace since.

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