Calafiori signs, Zinchenko axed, Timber wildcard – Dream Arsenal defence as next transfer secured

Riccardo Calafiori could soon finalise a move to Arsenal to add to a defence that looks capable of usurping Manchester City for the title.

Riccardo Calafiori seems set to become Arsenal’s second signing of the window

It now seems only a matter of time before the paperwork is signed off to complete Riccardo Calafiori’s transfer to Arsenal given the reports that a deal of around £40m has been accepted.

The defender is said to have had a number of options this summer but the Gunners look to have stolen a march on rivals, having reportedly agreed personal terms a short while ago. His arrival would delight Mikel Arteta, who has only made one signing so far.

The manager admitted his frustration with Premier League spending rules earlier this month, stating that they were slowing down negotiations with counterparts. So far, only David Raya has been signed for the senior side, making last season’s loan move permanent.

He benefitted from a sturdy defence in front of him last season, having usurped Aaron Ramsdale for the No.1 spot. The arrival of Calafiori will only bolster the club’s backline fortress with onlookers witnessing his talent while starring for a forlorn Italy side at Euro 2024.

Calafiori is also versatile, able to play at left-back. This might well be where Arteta places him initially. He has already made Ben White and Jurrien Timber into full-backs despite coming through the ranks as a centre-back, and Calafiori could be tasked with the same mission, only on the other flank.

This is a tack seen at Manchester City, where the likes of Nathan Ake, Josko Gvardiol and Manuel Akanji have all played at left-back despite being centre-halves. Arteta, of course, is a scholar of Pep Guardiola.

Both coaches have managed Oleksandr Zinchenko and Arteta could soon replicate Guardiola in relegating him to a rotation player. There have been questions over the defensive stability of the Ukrainian, who may not be sold straight away given his ability to help out in midfield.

But Jakub Kiwior might be one who is let go, given he would slip down the pecking order at both centre-back and left-back. His sale would further emphasise the need for Zinchenko to stay.

Timber has food for thought given Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba are surely the two immovable central defenders while White is the primary right-back. The Dutchman is a quality asset and in many ways is like a new signing.

Missing almost the entirety of his maiden season due to a serious knee injury means he has yet to make a case to usurp any of the favoured back-four. All the while, Calafiori will wish to be the first-choice central back-up to Gabriel and Saliba.

Perhaps the dream defence contains a back line of White, Saliba, Gabriel and Calafiori with Timber and Zinchenko at the ready. That sounds like a title-gunning set-up.