Arsenal appear to be closing in on a major signing in Riccardo Calafiori but are also looking to bolster Mikel Arteta's midfield options.

The Gunners need new recruits this summer in order to to finally overthrow Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table.

One first-team signing has already been made, but it was the permanent deal for loanee David Raya.

Arsenal are now looking to follow that up with another signing and one deal appears to be close.

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

The Italian impressed at Euro 2024 and will offer Mikel Arteta a versatile defensive option given his ability to play at left back and centre back.

Arsenal are still hunting other signings though and a midfielder appears to be a target for Arteta.

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Kai Havertz had a go but ended up faring better up front whilst Declan Rice is likely to continue splitting his time between holding midfield and a more advanced role.

Fabio Vieira and Emile Smith Rowe are options too but haven't received major playing time under Arteta for a while now.

That may tempt Arsenal back into the market and one player HITC understands to be on the radar is Real Sociedad star Mikel Merino.

Mikel Arteta has already approved a move for Merino and has contacted him about a summer move according to reports in Spain.

The former Newcastle United midfielder featured for Spain at Euro 2024 and scored a crucial quarter-final goal against Germany to dump the hosts out.

Merino is a classy, left-footed midfielder and may be viewed as the ideal Xhaka replacement for Arsenal, despite being 28 - a little older than the usual Arsenal signing.

A deal would see Merino reunite with Martin Odegaard in the Arsenal midfield having played together at Sociedad during the 2019-20 season.

Now Arsenal captain and living up to his potential, Odegaard will be key to the Gunners midfield for a long time yet and he may relish the chance to reunite with Merino.

Merino was certainly a fan of Odegaard during their time together, telling Marca that the Norwegian is a 'very eye-catching player' who brought 'a lot of life' to the Sociedad side.

"It's normal that the spotlight is on him, because he's on loan from Real Madrid. He's a very eye-catching player, who's having a very good start to the season. Having a player like him gives us a lot of life. I hope he continues to shine, because it will be good for Real," said Merino.

Merino record alongside Odegaard Odegard played 34 times alongside Merino with Sociedad, losing just 10 times in the process.

The pair won 18 times together at Sociedad and formed a strong bond in midfield under Imanol Alguacil.

Arteta may well feel that bringing them back together again can help Arsenal take a step forward, with that familiarity surely a factor in Arsenal's interest.