West Ham United’s chances of signing Riccardo Calafiori this summer have just been boosted by Arsenal it seems.
Riccardo Calafiori first emerged as a West Ham target last month with a £34 million move to the London Stadium being mooted, but the bad news for us was that Arsenal wanted him as well.
Julen Lopetegui desperately needs to bolster his central defensive ranks at the London Stadium this summer.
Signing upgrades on Kurt Zouma and Nayef Aguerd will be an absolute necessity for the Hammers boss, if he is to oversee some real progress at the club.
Lopetegui is said to be prioritising the addition of a new central defender, after West Ham conceded 74 Premier League goals last season.
Big improvements need to be made, that’s for sure.
Calafiori would instantly make us a better defensive unit, but will Lopetegui be able to tempt the Italian into a move to the Hammers?
Big Riccardo Calafiori boost for West Ham after Arsenal decision
The Gunners seem to have changed tack this summer.
According to a report from Sport, Arsenal have now switched their attention to Barcelona star Jules Kounde, and he’ll cost them around £51 million.
If the Gunners sign the France international, they obviously won’t move in on Calafiori as well.
Breaking the Lines once described Kounde as a player with ‘world-class’ potential, and it must be said that he’s certainly been displaying that kind of quality of late.
It wouldn’t surprise me one little bit if Mikel Arteta does indeed want to bring Kounde to the Emirates and if he does the door could well be wide open for the Hammers to sign Calafiori this summer.
Calafiori spoke back in 2022 about his admiration for West Ham United, and suggested that a move to the Premier League was his dream.
Not only is he a superb defender, but he’s clearly a big fan of the Hammers as well, and is available at a ridiculously good price this summer – just £34 million by all accounts (Calcio Mercato).
Calafiori was sensational for Italy out in Germany during their Euro 2024 campaign, and he possesses all of the attributes needed to succeed in the Premier League, what with his tenacious tackling and aggressive playing style.
One of the main reasons for the Italian’s exit from the competition was the fact that the Bologna ace was missing from the last-16 clash with Switzerland.
Top pundit Micah Richards described the Italian star as ‘amazing’ (Metro).
Riccardo Calafiori is a truly elite centre-back, and he would be a sensational addition for West Ham.
Arsenal making a move for Jules Kounde this summer would free up the path to the Italian’s signature.
READ ALSO:
New Max Kilman info emerges that should have the West Ham fans dancing on the rooftops
You won’t believe the offer West Ham United have just made for Wilfried Zaha
Julen Lopetegui has just shared a real problem for West Ham – ‘It’s bad news for us’
Related Topics