"Having him on the left side brings something special" - Frank Leboeuf praises Euro 2024 star linked with move to Arsenal

Football pundit Frank Leboeuf believes Italy defender Riccardo Calafiori will improve the Arsenal squad if he joins them this summer. The Gunners have reportedly agreed on a deal to sign the Bologna centre-back in the ongoing transfer window.

While in a conversation with ESPN (via HITC), Leboeuf claimed that the Italian will make Arteta's side better. He backed Calafiori to play as the left-back and to fill in as the central defender if the need arises.

“He makes them better, for sure. For sure, because they needed that option on the left side, where they are a little bit weaker than in other positions, and it gives a lot of options to Arteta. I think he wants to keep the White-Saka pair working very well on the right side and in case Saliba or Gabriel get injured, Calafiori can come in the middle and play centre back, but having him on the left side brings something special,” he said.

The Frenchman further highlighted how the Italian could strike a partnership with Gabriel Martinelli on Arsenal's left flank, giving them yet another attacking outlet.

“If he can pair on the left side with Martinelli like White does with Saka, that’s a big strength and the power can come from everywhere. You need a squad – you cannot think about ‘oh yeah, I’ve got Gabriel and Saliba and that’s enough’. If one of them gets injured, you’re in trouble. Therefore, he has a backup and that’s a big, big option. I think it’s a very good catch and he’s going to make them much better,” he added.

Calafiori was among Italy's top performers at Euro 2024 in what was a disappointing campaign that ended in the Round of 16. The 22-year-old played three games, providing one assist in the process.

Arsenal agree on €45m deal to sign Riccardo Calafiori from Bologna - Reports

Football transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has claimed that Arsenal have agreed on a deal with Bologna to sign Riccardo Calafiori this summer. The Gunners have been linked with the defender since his eye-catching performances at Euro 2024.

Romano claims that a deal worth €40 fixed fee plus €5m in add-ons has been agreed between the two clubs. A sell-on clause has also been added to the contract, as per the Italian journalist.

Calafiori, an AS Roma youth product, joined Bologna in the 2023 summer transfer window from FC Basel. In his only season with the Serie A club, the defender made 33 appearances, scoring two and assisting five goals.