Calafiori open to Arsenal exit as Juventus and Inter line up summer moves
Injuries and Hincapie's rise push Calafiori down the pecking order
Calafiori started the 2025-26 season in brilliant form, scoring the opening goal in Arsenal's first Premier League match at Old Trafford and picking up a Player of the Month nomination for August. But a series of muscular injuries disrupted his rhythm from January onwards, and Piero Hincapie used the opportunity to nail down the left-back spot. Even after regaining fitness, the 23-year-old has struggled to dislodge the Ecuadorian from Mikel Arteta's first-choice lineup.
Juventus and Inter both want him
That situation has caught the attention of Serie A's two biggest clubs. Juventus, backed by owner John Elkann's push to rebuild around Italian talent, view Calafiori as central to their summer plans. Inter are also interested, reportedly seeing the former Bologna man as a potential replacement for Alessandro Bastoni should the centre-back leave for Barcelona this summer.
Calafiori himself is believed to be open to returning to Italy if he cannot win back his starting place before the end of the season. Reports from multiple outlets suggest the defender has not closed the door on a move, though he has made no public statement on his future.
Arsenal set a high price
Arsenal are under no pressure to sell. Calafiori signed from Bologna for around 45 million euros in 2024 and the club are thought to want at least 40 million euros this summer, with some reports pushing the asking price closer to 50 million. For Juventus, that kind of fee is only realistic if they qualify for the Champions League, which remains far from certain at this stage of the Serie A season.
Arteta has spoken positively about having depth at left-back and Arsenal have given no public indication they want the defender to leave. But if Calafiori pushes for a move and a suitable offer arrives, the Gunners may be willing to negotiate rather than keep an unhappy player in the squad heading into what could be a defining summer of recruitment.
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