Arsenal are set to complete a major signing with Bologna defender Riccardo Calafiori inching closer to a move to North London.

The Gunners are busy preparing for the new Premier League season and want to strengthen Mikel Arteta's squad.

Goalkeeper David Raya turned his move from Brentford into a permanent deal this summer after excelling last term.

Arsenal then snapped up another stopper, agreeing a deal to sign teenage goalkeeper Tommy Setford from Ajax.

Whilst Setford's arrival is exciting for the future, it isn't the move that Arsenal fans have been waiting for in recent days.

HITC understands that Arsenal have agreed a deal in principle for Bologna defender Riccardo Calafiori.

There are still details to be finalised but Arsenal are now closing in on signing the Euro 2024 star.

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Italy were a major disappointment throughout the tournament but Calafiori put himself right in the shop window.

The 22-year-old showed real quality on the ball, especially with a driving run forward to set up Mattia Zaccagni's stunning goal.

Arsenal are now ready to pounce and will have big plans for Calafiori.

The likelihood is that Calafiori will be viewed as a left back in Arteta's system, given that the Spaniard likes using former centre backs - Ben White, Jurrien Timber, Takehiro Tomiyasu - in wide roles.

Calafiori can also cover for Gabriel Magalhaes as well though, and that is something which former Chelsea defender Frank Leboeuf absolutely loves.

Speaking on ESPN, Leboeuf stated that he thinks that Calafiori provides 'something special' at left back.

The Frenchman is looking for Calafiori to strike a connection with Gabriel Martinelli up the left flank, just as Ben White has with Bukayo Saka on the right side.

Leboeuf predicts that Calafiori will make Arsenal 'much better', not just in terms of his quality at left back but also his ability to offer depth in the middle.

"He makes them better, for sure," said Leboeuf. "For sure, because they needed that option on the left side, where they are a little bit weaker than in other positions, and it gives a lot of options to Arteta. I think he wants to keep the White-Saka pair working very well on the right side and in case Saliba or Gabriel get injured, Calafiori can come in the middle and play centre back, but having him on the left side brings something special."

"If he can pair on the left side with Martinelli like White does with Saka, that's a big strength and the power can come from everywhere. You need a squad - you cannot think about 'oh yeah, I've got Gabriel and Saliba and that's enough'. If one of them gets injured, you're in trouble. Therefore, he has a backup and that's a big, big option. I think it's a very good catch and he's going to make them much better," he added.

Arsenal need to get his deal finalised first, with Arteta remaining coy, but it looks like Calafiori will be a Gunners player soon enough.

Arteta has spent big money on his back line and will now have options that most managers would envy.

Whether it's at left back or centre back, Calafiori has shown his talent for Bologna and Italy, and is now ready for the next step.

Arsenal haven't had too many Italian players pass through their ranks and Calafiori has the chance to become the best Italian to turn out for Arsenal as Arteta closes in on another addition.