Arsenal 'accelerate' plans for next Mikel Arteta transfer after Riccardo Calafiori signing

Arsenal are reportedly stepping up their pursuit of a new midfielder after welcoming Riccardo Calafiori to the Emirates Stadium. The Italian defender has joined his team-mates in the United States after flying out to complete his move to Arsenal from Bologna.

Calafiori is unlikely to be Arsenal’s only summer signing, with the Gunners eager to improve their squad in advance of a renewed Premier League title challenge. Mikel Arteta will prioritise the addition of a new midfielder as well as chasing targets in other positions, according to the Evening Standard.

It is said that Arsenal want to strengthen their ranks in the engine room following the exits of Mohamed Elneny and Albert Sambi Lokonga. They are thought to be keen on a move for Real Sociedad playmaker Mikel Merino, who recently helped Spain to win Euro 2024.

Merino has just entered the final 12 months of his contract, meaning Sociedad are under pressure to sell him this summer to avoid losing him on a free transfer next year. However, the former Newcastle man has also been linked with the likes of Barcelona and Atletico Madrid.

Adrien Rabiot, who is a free agent following his release from Juventus, could be another potential option for the Gunners. The 29-year-old is said to be interesting several English sides, including Liverpool and Manchester United, but does not appear to be close to joining another club as of yet.

It remains to be seen how Arsenal will go about recruiting another midfielder, with Arteta having recently expressed hope that further deals will be done in the near future.

“I don’t know [if anyone else will join us],” said the Arsenal boss. “It’s still a lot of time to go in the window but that’s more of a question for Edu and the board I think.

“Obviously, we know there are certain positions that we want to improve and give the squad better resources in terms of numbers where we are short. We will try our best but the main thing is to focus on falling in love with the players we have and make them better.

“We have to [sign more players]. Perfection in this league requires different standards. We need to upgrade in everything we are doing. We have to improve in every area and that is what we are trying to do. When you are so close, you want to grab it. We are very close.”