'Confirmed' — Fabrizio Romano reports Arsenal are 'exchanging documents' for £42m signing as 'deal done'

After their statement decision to add David Raya to the roster full-time, Arsenal are reportedly close to finalising their next summer signing. The Gunners have been linked with head-turning targets so far this window as they look to finally get the better of Manchester City in the Premier League title race.

Mikel Arteta’s side were forced to settle for second place once again last season after finishing just two points behind the reigning champions. Arsenal are looking to strengthen their squad by signing top class new recruits and cashing in on those who have been deemed surplus to the mission moving forwards.

The Gunners have been eyeing up several new players and according to Fabrizio Romano, one particularly prominent name on the radar is now close to securing his move to the Emirates.

Arsenal have been heavily linked with centre-back Riccardo Calafiori in recent days and Romano reports that the story is ‘confirmed’ that he will be headed for his medical in the States. The team are currently enjoying their pre-season camp in the US and played out a penalty shootout win against Bournemouth in Los Angeles.

Taking to social media with the latest announcement, Romano wrote: “Riccardo Calafiori to Arsenal, here we go! Bologna and Arsenal have started to exchange documents right now. All sorted also between Bologna and Basel. Calafiori will sign five year deal (no option) for €4m/season net. Medical in the US, deal done and story confirmed.”

Sky Sport Italia’s Gianluca Di Marzio reported earlier this month that Bologna are after €50 million (£42m) for the defender. He was left out of Bologna’s pre-season training camp roster as the links between him and North London continued to grow. The 22-year-old only signed for the Serie A outfit last summer and his former club Basel have been looking to secure their part of the deal through a sell-on clause, which is reported to be between a hefty 40-50 percent.

After starting in the bulk of Bologna’s league fixtures last season, Calafiori started all three of Italy’s Euro 2024 group stage fixtures but missed their first and only knockout appearance due to a yellow card suspension.

Italian international icon and former Juventus talisman Leonardo Bonucci has weighed in on Calafiori’s shining career so far and believes he will go on to become one of the most important players within Italy’s national team.

“He’s a defender who’s a little different to what we’re used to seeing,” Bonucci recently told Sky Sport Italia. “He plays, has personality and fits in. We’re exporting a great player who will be a point of reference for the national team for the next 15 years.”