Arsenal Transfer News Today: Calafiori ARRIVES, Merino NEXT, Ruiz OPTION, Smith Rowe PLAN

Tom Weber

27 Jul 2024 14:40 BST
6 min read

Arsenal's summer business is ramping up with the Gunners finally closing in on their first proper addition of the window after making David Raya's loan from Brentford permanent.

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Bologna and Italy star Riccardo Calafiori is set to join Arsenal at long last. An agreement between the two clubs was finally reached last week and the final details between his Serie A club and Basel, who are owed 50 per cent of the profits from the move, ironed out in recent days.

Initially scheduled to travel to London on Friday night, Calafiori has now, at last, arrived to complete the first part of his medical. Afterwards, the 22-year-old is set to fly out to the US to join up with Arsenal's squad for their pre-season tour.

Unless the physical examination yields any problematic results, Calafiori is set to officially become an Arsenal player before the end of the week.

Mikel Merino up next

Following the completion of the Calafiori transfer, Arsenal will shift their focus to signing a new midfielder, according to Fabrizio Romano. The Gunners like to complete their incoming business deal by deal rather than working on several operations at once.

FootballTransfers revealed earlier this week that the north London giants are in pole position to sign Real Sociedad star Mikel Merino.

We reported that personal terms were not expected to be an issue and we can now reveal that Arsenal have indeed managed to reach an agreement with the player.

Romano has corroborated our information that talks are ongoing but that the Gunners have yet to present a bid for the 28-year-old. We hear that no offer is expected until Emile Smith Rowe's exit has been finalised.

In addition to Merino, Arsenal are also looking at his Spain teammate Fabian Ruiz, as exclusively revealed by Duncan Castles on The Transfers Podcast. Talks with the PSG man have begun.

Sergi Roberto offered

According to HITC, former Barcelona captain Sergi Roberto has been offered to Arsenal and other Premier League outfits following the expiration of his contract in Catalunya.

The 32-year-old would be nothing more than a depth option, so it seems unlikely that he would be willing to join Mikel Arteta's squad at this stage in his career, though he could be an intriguing option.

The signings of Jorginho and Leandro Trossard have previously shown that Arteta is not afraid to supplement his squad with experience when needed. Roberto could fill several defensive positions.

Arsenal keen on Chiesa, but Spurs lead race

FootballTransfers understands that Arsenal are among the clubs interested in transfer-listed Juventus winger Federico Chiesa. However, the Gunners have yet to firm up their interest.

North London rivals Tottenham hold an advantage in that they have a brilliant relationship with his representatives, while Fabio Paratici, despite his resignation last year, continues to advise the club behind the scenes. He was the man who signed Chiesa for Juventus in 2020.

Thus far, however, the Italian's suitors are waiting for someone to make the first move, while the Bianconeri are desperate for a bidding war to break out.

Smith Rowe latest

On Wednesday night, David Ornstein revealed that Fulham were closing in on a club-record deal to sign Emile Smith Rowe from Arsenal for over €40 million.

HITC has since reported that the midfielder is set for a medical this weekend, though Sky Sports insists that, though good progress has been made in the talks, Smith Rowe is still waiting for the green light from Arsenal to travel back to London.

The latter report states that the final detail that needs to be sorted out in the talks is the structure of the payment, with Fulham set to pay around €32m upfront and a potential €9m-€10m in add-ons.

Nelson, Nketiah latest

Sky Sports has also provided updates on the exit talks of Reiss Nelson and Eddie Nketiah. The players are currently in negotiations with Leicester City and Olympique Marseille, respectively.

Nelson is keen on leaving Arsenal after having failed to establish himself as a regular fixture in Mikel Arteta's squad. Arsenal are willing to grant his wish for the right price, with a potential loan with an obligation to buy currently mooted as the likely structure of his Leicester move.

As for Nketiah, he has reportedly already agreed terms with Marseille, but club-to-club talks have proved exceptionally difficult. It is claimed that Arsenal and the Ligue 1 side are 'oceans apart on their valuation' of the striker.

Roberto de Zerbi's side would have to table a significantly better proposal to get Arsenal to entertain a sale, a course of action Marseille are currently deliberating.