Arsenal to make Riccardo Calafiori exit decision after offer’

Arsenal are set to make a decision about the future of Riccardo Calafiori amid growing interest from Serie A clubs including AC Milan.

That is according to former Man United and Blackburn chief scout Mick Brown, who remains very well-connected within the game, as he exclusively told Football Insider that the 22-year-old’s injury issues have raised concerns at the Emirates.

Since joining Arsenal in July 2024, the Italy international has missed a total of 28 games for club and country due to a recurring knee injury and separate muscle injuries.

As a result, just 12 months after his £42million arrival from Bologna, the Gunners could be prepared to let the defender leave if they are offered a similar fee.

This comes after Football Insider revealed Arsenal are prepared to sell first-team players this summer, with a number of fringe players eyeing moves away.

Calafiori could be the latest name on the list of potential sales, while the emergence of Miles Lewis-Skelly means he has been pushed down the pecking order.

Riccardo Calafiori has struggled at Arsenal.

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Mikel Arteta to make Riccardo Calafiori decision at Arsenal

Football Insider revealed on 3 May that Oleksandr Zinchenko is expected to leave Arsenal this summer amid interest from Borussia Dortmund.

Brown, who has a wealth of experience in top-level player recruitment after over a decade at Man United during their most successful period, has insisted Mikel Arteta must make a decision about letting Calafiori leave as well.

“It’s a decision Arsenal and Arteta have got to make,” he told Football Insider.

“They will know the extent of his injury issues and whether it’s going to keep cropping up.

“Then, they’ll weigh that up against what they know he can do when he’s fit and they’ll decide whether it’s worth keeping him on.

“There is interest in a move back to Italy and AC Milan have been mentioned as one of those teams.

“If Arsenal can make back the money they spent on him last year, they might think it’s the best thing to do given how many games he’s missed.

“His injuries are a major concern because if he can only play in 15-20 games a season he’s not going to be somebody they want to keep on the books.

“But at the same time, there are a few players who look like they’ll leave Arsenal this year.

“They can’t let too many of them go because their depth is already an issue.

“So it’s a big decision for them to make and one they’ll sit down and discuss soon.”

Mikel Arteta has big decisions to make at Arsenal. (Credit: Hasan Karim, Breaking Media

Mikel Arteta to cash in on Nuno Tavares after latest update

Alongside Calafiori and Zinchenko, a number of Arsenal players are expected to make moves away from the Emirates in the summer window.

Football Insider revealed on 5 May that Nuno Tavares will leave Arsenal on a permanent deal after spending the last three years out on loan.

Sources say he is one of up to ten first-team players who could be allowed to leave the club amid sweeping changes to Arteta’s squad.

This comes after Football Insider revealed last month that Tavares and fellow loanee Albert Sambi Lokonga will be allowed to leave this summer.