It's not a transfer that has been greeted with universal enthusiasm back in his home country.

For all those applauding what looks set to become a PS42 million move to Arsenal, there are others wringing their hands and mourning the days when the Serie A was the ambitious, money-laden epicentre of the European game.

Riccardo Caliafiori's switch from Bologna to Mikel Arteta's Premier League runners-up sees yet another highly-rated, homegrown Italian talent leave home for a new adventure in England.

There was much disappointment among some Italian pundits when Guglielmo Vicario, Destiny Udogie and particularly Sandro Tonali departed last summer.

Calafiori, the breakout star of Italy's otherwise dreadful Euro 2024 campaign, looks destined now to follow in their footsteps. Arsenal, per Gianluca di Marzio, are expected to tie up a deal worth around 50 million euros for the buccaneering, ball-carrying central defender who - stylistically or visually - would not look out of place in the star-studded Italian backline of the early-2000s.

He feels that playing against forwards such as Erling Haaland, Ollie Watkins and co in England will only enhance Calafiori's development.

"Calafiori won, for the team he chose," Braglia tells Tuttomercatoweb. "These are experiences that make you grow. And in Italy no one could spend that money to take him.

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"Bologna gained from it. Italian football certainly lost out."

That final point is one shared by many.

Bologna qualified for the Champions League for the first time in their history last term but it has not taken long for the surprise-packages to be preyed upon by the piranhas. Talismanic head coach Thiago Motta has already left for Juventus.

Star striker Joshua Zirkzee, HITC understands, has decided to join Manchester United too with the PS34 million release clause in his contract set to be triggered in the coming days.

"Thiago Motta is carrying out a revolution and (director Cristiano) Giuntoli seems equally determined," former England, Real Madrid and Juventus coach Fabio Capello Gazzetta dello Sport, disappointed both to see Calafiori leave Italy and the Bianconeri miss out on a man they were reportedly very keen on.

"It's a shame about Calafiori. He has a great personality and would have been useful to Motta."

Gunners could win race for Italy's Euro 2024 star Capello also feels there are similarities between Calafiori and a young defender he coached at the Santiago Bernabeu two decades ago; a baby-faced Sergio Ramos.

Massimo Orlando, a one-time Juve, Milan and Atalanta midfielder, also feels that PS42 million is excellent value for money for a 22-year-old centre-half with potentially over a decade awaiting him at the very highest level.

"Arsenal are definitely (getting) a bargain," Orlando tells Tuttomercatoweb. "For the game he plays, Calafiori is a perfect match (for The Gunners).

"In a few years, maybe he'll go to Barcelona or Real Madrid."

"In modern football, four million euros (a year) is not much. It was a salary that even an Italian could afford," Orlando adds. "Certain experiences abroad are good, especially in the Premier League. It's a fascinating but difficult championship.

"Now, we'll see how he adapts."