Arsenal nearing deal for Italy defender Calafiori

Arsenal head Mikel Arteta says nan nine are trying to fortify "certain positions" arsenic they adjacent successful connected nan signing of Italy defender Riccardo Calafiori.

Speaking successful Los Angeles astatine nan commencement of Arsenal's three-match circuit of nan United States, Arteta told reporters location was "no update" connected a woody for nan 22-year-old Bologna man, who is weighted astatine astir €40m (£33.7m).

However, sources person said talks are progressing good and are expected to scope a affirmative conclusion.

Arsenal are besides looking to fortify successful cardinal midfield arsenic they effort to do amended than nan past 2 campaigns, erstwhile they person vanished 2nd to Manchester City.

"We person to," said nan Gunners boss, erstwhile asked if his broadside person to amended contempt 2 almost flawless seasons. "When you are truthful adjacent you want to drawback it.

"Perfection successful this convention requires different standards erstwhile you subordinate that connection to winning nan Premier League and that is what we person to do.

"There is still a batch of clip near successful nan model and while that is much a mobility for nan board, evidently we cognize location are definite positions that we want to amended and springiness nan squad amended resources successful position of numbers but nan main point is to attraction connected falling successful emotion pinch nan players we have."

Arsenal’s players are returning for pre-season successful stages.

They will person returned to London aft matches against Bournemouth, Manchester United and Liverpool earlier others, including Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka, nexus up fixed their Euro 2024 run pinch England did not extremity until 14 July.

One of nan tournament’s abiding memories was Saka scoring successful nan punishment shootout triumph complete Switzerland successful nan quarter-finals, banishing nan memories of his nonaccomplishment successful nan erstwhile tournament’s last conclusion by Italy.

"I was very nervous," said Arteta. "What happened a fewer years agone plays backmost successful your mind but he showed a batch of courage and determination and composure to return it nan measurement he did.

"Bukayo’s domiciled is perpetually increasing and evolving, he is simply a ace important subordinate for america and 1 of nan main players for nan nationalist team."