Juventus director regrets Riccardo Calafiori’s move to Arsenal, admits wanting to keep him in Serie A

Juventus director Cristiano Giuntoli in an interview, expressed regret over the club's failure to sign Riccardo Calafiori, from Bologna.

Juventus director regrets Riccardo Calafiori’s move to Arsenal, admits wanting to keep him in Serie A

Juventus director Cristiano Giuntoli expressed regret in failing to sign Riccardo Calafiori. (via Football Italia)

Juventus director Cristiano Giuntoli expressed regret for failing to sign Italian defender Riccardo Calafiori this summer, despite agreeing on personal terms with the player. The former Bologna defender later opted to join Arsenal, on a € 45 million worth transfer fee.

The Old Lady had a busy summer transfer window this time, making a number of new additions to the squad. The Serie A giants also sold a few prolific players, including Federico Chiesa, who joined Liverpool, and Adrien Rabiot, who departed as a free agent. Under new manager Thiago Motta, who set out to restructure the squad, they signed Teun Koopmeiners, Douglas Luiz, Khephren Thuram, Nico Gonzalez, Francisco Conceicao, Juan Cabal, and goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio.

Riccardo Calafiori was among the names on top of Motta’s list of new defensive targets, after having shone under the manager at Bologna. However, despite agreeing on personal terms, the move failed to materialize. Juve sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli, in a recent interview, admitted that he was sad that the club could not sign the 22-year-old Italian star, also dashing his hopes of not being able to keep the player in the Serie A. He also stated that it amounted to bad news for all the Italian clubs.

FS Video

It’s sad not being able to keep Riccardo Calafiori in Serie A. It’s a bad news not just for us as we wanted Calafiori, but also for the league.

Cristiano Giuntoli on Riccardo Calafiori’s move to Arsenal (via Corriere)

The Italian starlet, who has been compared to the likes of legends Paolo Maldini and Alessandro Nesta, joined Arsenal on a €45 million move. He has made five appearances till now and scored a goal, and seems to be a perfect fit for the Gunners on the left-side.

RELATED
“A few of them have school in the morning,” Mikel Arteta beams as Arsenal field 6 TEENAGERS in 5-1 win over Bolton
Mikel Arteta Arsenal teenagers

Arsenal could sell ‘out-of-favor’ defender in January, following Riccardo Calafiori’s signature

The Gunners are reportedly open to selling out-of-favor defender Takehiro Tomiyasu, during the January transfer window. This has been fueled by the club’s signing of Riccardo Calafiori from Bologna, as well Jurrien Timber‘s return from injury.

Takehiro Tomiyasu Arsenal
Arsenal defender Takehiro Tomiyasu could be sold in January, after Riccardo Calafiori’s signature. (via Evening Standard)

The Arsenal defensive unit looks bloated, with a number of players at the full-back positions, including Calafiori, Timber, Tomiyasu, Ben White, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Kieran Tierney and Jakub Kiwior. Arsenal could now opt to sell the 25-year-old Japanese defender, with a number of Italian clubs interested. Since joining the side in 2021, he has impressed in limited appearances, owing to multiple injuries.

RELATED
“Rodri is right,” Spurs captain Son Heung-min BLASTS packed fixture schedule ahead of Europa League and Manchester United clash
Son Heung-Min Rodri

Having failed to make it to Mikel Arteta‘s regular starting XI, Tomiyasu could pursue a future away from the club, after three long years and 83 appearances. Inter Milan are reportedly interested in signing him in January, for an estimated fee of around  £25 million.