Riccardo Calafiori has finally been announced as an Arsenal player following protracted negotiations with Bologna.
talkSPORT understands that the Gunners have forked out an initial £34million on the versatile defender, with a further £4m to be paid in potential add-ons.
After completing his medical in London, Calafiori now linked up with his new teammates on their pre-season tour of America.
Mikel Arteta identified the 22-year-old, who starred for Italy at Euro 2024, as his top defensive target.
Calafiori earned rave reviews in the group stage in Germany, while he also impressed for Bologna last season to help them secure Champions League football.
His dazzling displays led Juventus to eye up a move for the youngster, while Chelsea also had him on their radar, before bringing in Renato Veiga from Basel instead.
It was also rumoured that Real Madrid were keen on Calafiori, who has been likened to Sergio Ramos, but the ex-Roma man only had eyes on Arsenal.
Arsenal have been in talks with Bologna regarding the player for the last month, with the Italian side also having to deal with Swiss outfit Basel.
The two clubs had been discussing the hefty 50 per cent sell-on clause Basel were due having sold him to Bologna in August 2023.
And with that now settled, Arsenal have finally confirmed Calafiori’s arrival, where he has become their second signing of the summer after David Raya’s loan spell from Brentford was turned into a permanent move.
It remains to be seen now where Calafiori will into Arteta’s system, with the player able to operate as both a centre-back and left-back.
It seems unlikely that Arteta will shake-up the partnership between William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes in the heart of the defence.
And this could see Calafiori be deployed as a full-back, where he would be utilised in a role similar to right-back Ben White.
Jurrien Timber, who missed the bulk of the season with a knee injury, would then be used as back-up options in all three defensive positions.
And Calafiori’s arrival may now see Arsenal look to offload one of Jakub Kiwior and Oleksandr Zinchenko, with both linked with Emirates exits.