Arsenal now look to have beaten Newcastle to signing of £46.5m Italy defender

In what has been a continuing theme this summer, Newcastle United look set to miss out on yet another defensive target to another Premier League rival.

This time it's Arsenal who look to have beaten Newcastle to the signing of Italy international Riccardo Calafiori.

The 22-year-old popped up on Newcastle's radar shortly before Euro 2024 got underway and he went on to impress for his country despite Italy being way below their own high standards.

At one point Newcastle were said to have been leading the race for the Bologna defender, despite having had a bid rejected by the Serie A club.

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Newcastle still need a centre-back to cover Fabian Schar

However, a report from Corriere di Bologna (via The Boot Room) Arsenal are set to get their man by returning to Bologna with a bid of around £46.5miillion which is expected to be accepted.

Newcastle are still searching for another centre-back to deputise and eventually replace Fabian Schar after picking up Lloyd Kelly on a free transfer earlier this summer.

Left-sided Kelly will be seen as Sven Botman's deputy as well as also being able to fill in at left-back.

Arsenal seem to have won the race for Calafiori

Arsenal look to have beaten Chelsea, West Ham and Juventus as well as Newcastle to Calafiori's signature which hasn't gone down well with former Juventus player and coach, Ciro Ferrara who told Tuttomercatoweb that he's upset at seeing promising young Italian players heading to the Premier League, also citing Sandro Tonali's move to Newcastle as a sore point.

“I mentioned him as the surprise of the league but they told me that he is going to Arsenal: our league produces interesting young players but then they take different destinations.”

“I hope not but he is a really important player. I’m sorry, just as I was sorry for Tonali, beyond the events that have affected him.”