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  "path": "/2026/03/31/arsenal-make-riccardo-calafiori-transfer-decision-two-clubs-target-42m-star-27762411/",
  "publishedAt": "2026-03-31T06:51:06.000Z",
  "site": "https://metro.co.uk",
  "tags": [
    "Football",
    "Sport",
    "Arsenal",
    "Arsenal transfer news",
    "Inter Milan",
    "Mikel Arteta",
    "Napoli",
    "Premier League",
    "Riccardo Calafiori",
    "Transfer News and Rumours",
    "signing from Italian side Bologna in 2024",
    "beat London rivals Chelsea to a deal for Calafiori",
    "Euro 2024",
    "Carabao Cup",
    "reports in Italy",
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    "last season’s Champions League runners-ups",
    "no plans on leaving Arsenal anytime soon",
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    "La Gazzetta dello Sport",
    "@metrosportuk",
    "mikelarteta",
    "footballfans",
    "premierleague",
    "trophy",
    "♬ original sound – Metro Sport",
    "Manchester United have even been linked with the 19-year-old England international",
    "complete a permanent move to Arsenal at the end of the season for £45m",
    "Carabao Cup final defeat to Manchester City",
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  "textContent": "Arsenal signed Riccardo Calafiori from Bologna in 2024 (Picture: Getty)\n\nArsenal are ready to rebuff interest in Riccardo Calafiori this summer as two clubs line up moves for the £42m defender.\n\nCalafiori has been a largely reliable presence in the Arsenal backline since signing from Italian side Bologna in 2024.\n\nArsenal beat London rivals Chelsea to a deal for Calafiori after he was one of the few Italy players to impress during their poor Euro 2024 campaign.\n\nInjury issues limited Calafiori to 19 Premier League appearances last season but he has already surpassed that figure this term as Mikel Arteta’s first-choice left-back.\n\nCalafiori has contributed to Arsenal’s brilliant defensive record this season, with the Gunners only conceding 22 goals in the league as they chase their first Premier League title in 22 years.\n\nThe 23-year-old Italian’s performances also helped Arsenal reach the Carabao Cup final and go deep in both the Champions League and FA Cup.\n\nCalafiori’s performances at the Emirates Stadium have not gone unnoticed, with reports in Italy claiming both Inter Milan and Napoli would love to bring him back to Serie A.\n\n##  Your football fix\n\n**Metro** 's Head of Sport James Goldman delivers punchy analysis, transfer talk and his take on the week's biggest stories direct to your inbox every week.\n\nSign up here, it's an open goal.\n\nMikel Arteta gives instructions to Calafiori (Picture: Getty)\n\nIt is claimed Inter, last season’s Champions League runners-ups, are especially keen on Calafiori and view him as an ideal fit for their squad.\n\nHowever, Arsenal have made it clear to interested parties that Calafiori is not for sale ahead of the summer transfer window and expect him to be a key part of the squad for many years to come.\n\nCalafiori has hinted at a future move back to his native country but has no plans on leaving Arsenal anytime soon and wants to win several trophies at the Premier League giants.\n\n> https://www.instagram.com/p/C-ItdIUIk–/\n\nAsked if he ever felt ‘homesick’ in England, Calafiori told La Gazzetta dello Sport: ‘I miss the sun and would like to see friends and family more often, but I’m not complaining.\n\n‘In Italy, we’re used to observing, judging, and criticising. I like that it’s not like that here.’\n\nPressed on why he decided to leave Italy for the Premier League two years ago, Calafiori responded: ‘I’ve always dreamed of playing in England.\n\n> @metrosportuk\n>\n> He HAS to go blud… right? 🤔 Arsenal fans give their verdict on whether their manager, Mikel Arteta, will still be at the North London outfit if they do NOT win any trophies this season from the position they’re in. #mikelarteta #arsenal #footballfans #premierleague #trophy\n>\n> ♬ original sound – Metro Sport\n\n‘After the European Championship, my price tag increased, and my agent explained that Arsenal really wanted me.\n\n‘I knew I’d be playing in the toughest league. But I told myself I could always take a step back. And let’s be clear: Arsenal is Arsenal, an iconic team, unlike any other.’\n\nMyles Lewis-Skelly challenged Calafiori for a place in the team last season but has slipped down Arteta’s pecking order this term, sparking speculation over his own future in north London.\n\nManchester United have even been linked with the 19-year-old England international, who has started just one Premier League game so far this season.\n\nArteta’s other option at left-back is Piero Hincapie, who joined on loan from Bayer Leverkusen last summer and will complete a permanent move to Arsenal at the end of the season for £45m.\n\nAfter 13 days without a game since their Carabao Cup final defeat to Manchester City, Arsenal return to action on Saturday, facing Championship side Southampton in the FA Cup quarter-finals.\n\nArteta’s side then have two Champions League games against Sporting and a Premier League clash with Bournemouth in the space of eight days.\n\n**For more stories like this, check our sport page**.\n\n**Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on**Facebook,** Twitter and Instagram**.\n\nComment now Comments \nAdd Metro as a Preferred Source on Google\nAdd as preferred source\n",
  "title": "Arsenal make Riccardo Calafiori transfer decision as two clubs target £42m star"
}