Shock Departure? Premier League Defender Linked With Exit Just Months After Joining

Arsenal fans would have been forgiven for anticipating the signing of the highly-rated Riccardo Calafiori last summer, following his breakout season at Bologna in which he starred as the Serie A team qualified for the UEFA Champions League for the first time since the 1964/1965 season.

A place in the starting XI for all of the Italian national team's group stage matches at the European Championships was his reward, and the then 22-year-old slotted in seamlessly as he covered the fourth most ground out of any player across the group stages.

🇮🇹👏 Riccardo Calafiori (22) vs Albania...

• 100% aerial duels won
• 93% pass accuracy
• 5 recoveries
• 3 interceptions
• 2/2 dribbles completed

Solid display. 🧱 #EURO2024 pic.twitter.com/udFauo44Bk

— EuroFoot (@eurofootcom) June 15, 2024

Following Italy's Round of 16 exit to Switzerland in which Calafiori played no part due to suspension, the Gunners splashed out £42m including add-ons to sign Serie A's Player of the Month for May 2024.

However, the defender is reportedly considering an exit out of the Premier League just under a year since he arrived - and here's why.

Lack of Playing Time at Arsenal

Having started just 11 times in the league this season, Calafiori has had a massive drop-off in appearances following 21 and 26 respective starts across the previous two campaigns.

Sure enough, the Italian has been unfortunate to miss 16 matchday squads through knee and muscle injuries, yet this still means he has started only half of all available games.

Mainly featuring as a centre-back for Bologna and as a left centre-back in Luciano Spaletti's Italian team, Calafiori is clearly most comfortable at the heart of a side's defence.

Unfortunately for him, playing there for Arsenal would mean breaking the stellar partnership that Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba have built up for the past three seasons - something Mikel Arteta is clearly unwilling to do and for good reason given their defensive record.

This has led to the 23-year-old featuring only as a left-back for the Gunners, which he has done before at Basel, even though it is not his best position.

At the beginning of the season, the woes of Oleksandr Zinchenko and Kieran Tierney meant Calafiori was set to rival Jurrien Timber for Arteta's number one left-back pick.

After starting four of his first six available games, it looked as if the Italian had won the battle ahead of his Dutch teammate - until a run of knee issues allowed Timber back into the starting side but potentially more crucially, for youngster Miles Lewis-Skelly to make his name.

Since then, Lewis-Skelly has taken the league by storm and has impressed so much that he was handed his international debut by Thomas Tuchel in the March internationals - effectively locking Calafiori out of the starting side, and as such linking him with a move away.

Interested Clubs

A return to Italian football looks most concrete based on a multitude of reports, with AC Milan's name standing out from the rest.

According to MilanLive, the Rossoneri want to sign the player for €35m - less than what Arsenal paid for him and a long way away from the £25m profit the Gunners are believed to want if they do sell him.

🚨 AC Milan want to bring Arsenal defender Riccardo Calafiori back to Serie A in a deal worth €35m.

(Source: MilanLive) pic.twitter.com/NDK0VvchtJ

— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) May 3, 2025

Another Italian giant that maintain interest is Juventus, who were heavily in the race for his signature last year, although their poor financial situation could see them forced to turn elsewhere - especially if the Gunners' believed valuation in excess of £60m is a reality.

Juventus' Sporting Director - Cristiano Giuntoli - previously spoke of regret amongst several Serie A clubs for allowing the defender to walk away from the league.

Finally, AS Roma are reportedly keen to reunite with their academy graduate, who they had on their books from 2010 up until they sold him to Basel in 2022 following only a handful of first team appearances.

Where Should He Go?

Despite Calafiori's versality, he should prioritise moving to a club where he will be a guaranteed starter in his preferred centre-half role.

AC Milan struggled massively last season and finished in eighth, and are in need of defensive depth alongside Fikayo Tomori, Matteo Gabia and Alex Jimenez.

With manager Massimiliano Allegri playing a system with three defenders and two wing-backs - similar to Spaletti's style with the national team - Calafiori will have freedom to be more aggressive with the press plus move higher up the pitch during attacks due to having two other defenders for cover.

His involvement in this goal for Italy at Euro 2024 is a prime example of this.

Calafiori before Zaccagni's dramatic equaliser 😮‍💨#EURO2024 pic.twitter.com/0z10isUaUm

— UEFA EURO (@UEFAEURO) June 19, 2025

If Juventus do muster the cash for the player, Calafiori won't have the same freedom to roam that he would get in Milan as Juventus' wide players in their 3-4-3 system are attacking minded so defensive cover won't be offered to give the Italian licence to drift.

However, the club from Turin would at least be able to offer the Italian Champions League football, something that both Roma and Milan don't have.

Or, he could yet remain at Arsenal - last season's Champions League semi-finalists - and fight to regain his place if he feels comfortable enough to progress his career on the left of a defensive four.

After all, his contention for a place in the side has taken a huge boost as Tierney has already returned to Celtic whilst Zinchenko looks set to leave this window - leaving only Lewis-Skelly, a natural midfielder, and Timber in his way.