Arsenal

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Arsenal-linked Riccardo Calafiori is "everything you want from a modern day centre-back", according to Bologna team-mate Lewis Ferguson.

The 22-year-old received plaudits for his performances with Italy despite their disappointing Euro 2024 finals campaign.

He was also a key player as Bologna finished third in Serie A to qualify for the Champions League - their first appearance in the main European club competition since the 1964-64 season.

"Not only did he have a really good tournament, but last season he was outstanding - one of our best players," Ferguson, who missed out on the finals with Scotland through injury, told BBC Radio Scotland's Sportsound.

"We had a great season as a team and he was big part of that."

Bologna have lost head coach Thiago Motta to Juventus, with Vincenzo Italiano arriving in his place from Fiorentina.

Ferguson thinks Bologna could also have sold some key players by the time he returns to action by the end of the year and is "not surprised" that Arsenal are interested in Calafiori.

"Originally, he was a left-back," he explained. "The manager had changed him into a centre-back, but he is a real modern centre-back, the way he drives with the ball, he's really comfortable with the ball.

"The way we played last season, half the time, the centre-backs were in midfield. That's the way the manager wanted them to play and it suited him down to a T.

"He was perfect for that role. So comfortable on the ball, but again, he was aggressive, good in the air, strong in the tackle. Everything you want from the modern-day centre-back."

Last season Arsenal winger Gabriel Martinelli set a new record.

According to Opta via the Gunners website, external, he has scored 41 games in 35 separate matches. In those games, he has never ended up on the losing side.

That number overhauled Gunners legends Lee Dixon, Perry Groves and Ray Parlour for top spot in the history books.

Martinelli's team-mate Leandro Trossard is just a few goals off breaking into the top five. The Belgian has gone unbeaten in 18 games he's found the back of the net in while Kai Havertz scored in 13 different games last season - and won all of them.

This week also marks five years since Martinelli signed for Arsenal from Ituano.

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After Arsenal completed a deal for David Raya from Brentford on Thursday, we asked you what the Gunners should do with back-up keeper Aaron Ramsdale.

Here are some of your responses:

Paul: I think Ramsdale was outstanding the year before last. I’m not sold on Raya. I would not sell to a contender because he’ll haunt Arsenal.

Jeffrey: Send Ramsdale on loan. He’s still young enough to be away for two years and then have a decade at Arsenal.

Nicky: Ramsdale is England's number two and should be kept at Arsenal and given more games. We have done so well with him that it would be criminal to let him go.

Ricky: We all love Ramsdale - he's a great goalkeeper and a great character. It's up to the player. If he wants first-team football, let him go. If he wants to stay and be a part of the big things Arsenal are going to achieve, let him stay. I'd let him choose.

Abiodun: If Ramsdale wishes to stay and the club still want him, I would love that. I am a fan of Ramsdale but I have come to see that Raya is an upgrade on him. If he wants to stay Arsenal, they should keep him and Arteta should encourage him with some more Premier League matches.

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Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher has labelled his England team mate Declan Rice as one of the best midfielders in the world.

The pair grew up together in Chelsea's academy and are now part of the England squad aiming to reach the Euro 2024 semi-finals with victory over Switzerland on Saturday.

"He is a top guy and also a top footballer" Gallagher told BBC Radio 5 Live. "He [has been] doing brilliant ever since he first put the England shirt on and I think he leads by example as well so a lot of credit to him as a footballer."

After captaining West Ham to their first trophy in 43 years, Rice secured a £100m transfer to Arsenal where he impressed as the Gunners' narrowly missed out on the Premier League title.

As a result, Gallagher believes his England team-mate ranks among the best midfielders in the world.

"I would say around the top five," said Gallagher. "I can't think off the top of my head now but he is definitely up there and the exciting thing is he's getting better as well.

"He's only just moved to a top team like Arsenal and he's still improved massively from when he was at West Ham. So it's really exciting for everyone England and like I said, he's a top guy as well."

Despite his rise, Gallagher also insists Rice has not changed as a person since their time together at Chelsea.

"As a character he is exactly the same, he is always having banter and joking around and always laughing," he said.

"As a footballer he has grown and is so physical and strong and powerful. Obviously, it's hard to compare a nine-year-old Dec to 25. I think he is pretty much a world-class midfielder, he's been fantastic for Arsenal so far and I'm sure he's going to keep improving."

Barcelona are frontrunners to sign Athletic Bilbao and Spain winger Nico Williams, with Arsenal and Chelsea at risk of missing out on the 21-year-old. (Football Insider), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Friday's full gossip column

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter

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Arsenal are set to poach masseur Manoel Marcelo Ribeiro from rivals Chelsea.

Ribeiro, who is known as Manny, is a visible presence around the first-team squad at matches and on the training ground.

He joined Chelsea in 2009 having previously had spells at Fulham and West Ham.

The move comes just 24 hours after the shock news long-serving Chelsea academy directors Neil Bath and Jim Fraser were departing the club.

George Cummins
BBC Sport journalist

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Despite speculation, there were never any doubts at Arsenal that David Raya would be signing full-time from Brentford this summer following his loan spell.

Mikel Arteta gave Raya his debut at Everton in September - a game the Gunners won 1-0.

The manager said after the victory he "had no number ones" and "had two great goalkeepers" in Raya and Aaron Ramsdale.

In reality, he had already made his mind up. The Spain international was number one after a strong recommendation from goalkeeping coach Inaki Cana, who Raya had worked with previously at Brentford.

Arteta wanted opposition teams to press his goalkeeper and then his goalkeeper beat that press with his passing ability. Raya was an upgrade on Ramsdale in that respect.

Arteta's decision to stick with Raya in goal was called into question several times - particularly after mistakes at Lens in the Champions League and rivals Tottenham in the Premier League.

With fans' favourite Ramsdale on the bench, pressure was growing - but Raya settled down in the new year and won supporters over with a stunning penalty save against Porto at Emirates Stadium.

He then won the Premier League Golden Glove with 16 clean sheets.

And with Raya as number one, Arsenal will now need to make a decision on whether to sell number two Ramsdale.

Can the Gunners keep hold of Ramsdale?

Or if he leaves, who should Arteta target to be his back-up keeper?

Let us know your thoughts, external

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Goalkeeper David Raya has said his transfer to Arsenal is a "dream come true".

The 28-year-old has signed a long-term contract with the Gunners after spending last season on loan from Brentford.

He made 41 appearances - and his 16 Premier League clean sheets earned him the Golden Glove.

Spain international Raya spent four seasons with the Bees after joining from Blackburn Rovers in 2019, helping them win promotion and then consolidate their place in the top flight.

"After a year on loan as a Gunner, I can finally say that I'm an Arsenal player for the coming years," he said.

"It's a dream come true to be here and I want to thank you for all the support you have already given me throughout the last year."

Gunners boss Mikel Arteta added: "David showed us last season what an important player he is for us. He is a big presence in our dressing room.

"We know he will take the strong foundations he put in place last season and build on them in the years to come, and that he will enjoy more success with us."

France defender William Saliba could leave Arsenal this summer with Real Madrid interested in the 23-year-old. (Mirror), external

Arsenal have had a 47m euro (£39.8m) offer for defender Riccardo Calafiori rejected by Bologna, who want at least 50m euros (£42.3m) for the Italy international. Chelsea are also interested in the 22-year-old. (Corriere dello Sport - in Italian), external

Finally, Napoli striker Victor Osimhen, 25, is expected to be involved pre-season next week amid interest from Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea. (Football Italia), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Thursday's full gossip column

Alex Howell
BBC Sport football news reporter

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Arsenal are monitoring Italy and Bologna defender Riccardo Calafiori.

The Gunners like the 22-year-old centre-back but no official move has yet been made, with the club aware that they are not the only interested team.

Calafiori made his debut for the national team earlier this year and was one of Italy's standout players at Euro 2024, before they were knocked out in the last 16.

Calafiori made 30 Serie A appearances for Bologna last season and helped his side finish fifth in the Italian top flight.

Arsenal have moved ahead of Juventus in the pursuit of 22-year-old Bologna defender Riccardo Calafiori, who impressed for Italy at Euro 2024. (Telegraph - subscription required, external)

Want more transfer news? Read Wednesday's full gossip column

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England have only conceded two goals in four games so far at Euro 2024, but even in defence manager Gareth Southgate has fresh food for thought going into Saturday's quarter-final against Switzerland.

Newcastle United defender Kieran Trippier took a knock to his leg in the second half against Slovakia and had to be withdrawn, leaving Arsenal's Bukayo Saka to fill in at left-back.

The Three Lions will definitely be without Crystal Palace centre-back Marc Guehi, who will serve a one-match suspension after picking up a second yellow card of the tournament.

England's defensive display against Slovakia was "all over the place", according to former Three Lions midfielder Danny Murphy, who fears if they "play better opposition" they will be "in a world of trouble".

Ex-Three Lions captain Alan Shearer said it will be "fascinating how England cope with three up front for the Swiss" and called for Ezri Konsa of Aston Villa to come in for the banned Guehi, with Manchester United's Luke Shaw at left-back.

Former England full-back Micah Richards wants to see Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold at right-back, with Kyle Walker of Manchester City switched to the left.

Gary Lineker is more broadly concerned with the manner in which England's backline operated against Slovakia, and its impact on the rest of the side.

"The defence were very deep. We have a player in John Stones who likes to come forward but he was deep," added the former England skipper.

"Then [England have] two midfielders, often as deep as the back four. Then a huge gap to Bellingham and Kane. They were so spread out it was impossible to play passing football.

"They weren’t cohesive. They were disjointed and unbalanced. It was as though they had just met each other."

Read more on what is next for England and pick your starting XI

Arsenal have activated the option to sign 28-year-old Spain goalkeeper David Raya from Brentford on a permanent deal after a successful loan spell last season. (Mail), external

Sevilla are set to sign Arsenal's 24-year-old Belgium midfielder Albert Sambi Lokonga on a season-long loan. (Teamtalk), external

Newcastle United are determined to keep Sweden striker Alexander Isak amid reports linking the 24-year-old with a move to Arsenal or Chelsea. (Football London), external

Manchester City have beaten Arsenal to Chelsea's 16-year-old English midfielder Ryan McAidoo. (Mirror), external

Want more transfer news? Read Tuesday's full gossip column

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Declan Rice speaking to BBC Sport in the aftermath of England's extra-time win over Slovakia at Euro 2024: "I cannot describe the feeling representing England. European Championship round of 16 you look up at the clock and you think ‘we could be going home here’.

"There are players saying to each other one minute to go and there is that inner fight and spirit in us. We have got that togetherness, we would do anything to protect this manager. Keep going and keep fighting, it is an honour to be a part of it – we are going to keep going."

On Jude Bellingham's overhead kick to force extra-time, Rice said: "It is crazy because if that was me that was going over the bar!

"It was a big moment for 21-years old, that takes a lot of guts. People don’t understand what you have to go through to get over the line.

“We are not playing against invisible men. They are top footballers, they kept going after us. It is about waiting for those moments and as the game got stretched we created more.

"The fans tonight I cannot speak highly enough of them. So grateful they are all here to experience that."

Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and West Ham United are all interested in 22-year-old Italy defender Riccardo Calafiori, but they will have to pay in excess of £40m to prise him away from Bologna. (Express), external

Want more transfer news? Read Monday's full gossip column

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Before England's Euro 2024 last-16 tie against Slovakia on Sunday, the BBC's chief football writer Phil McNulty has been answering readers' questions on all things Three Lions.

Andy asked: Can Bukayo Saka play on the left?

Phil answered: He certainly can. He has done it before. It would be a serious tactical shift from Gareth Southgate to try him, but he can do it.

Read more of Phil's responses and the rest of Friday's football news

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Managers will always outwardly support their players on the international stage, but you can be sure one or two will privately be hoping for an early exit from Euro 2024 for a few of their star men.

International tournament summers disrupt pre-season for managers.

Various players from different nations return to their clubs at different times, sometimes with injuries, holidays get postponed and rescheduled. As a general rule, the best players are more likely to play for the best nations and therefore go further in international tournaments.

The Euro 2024 final will take place on 14 July. Over half of Premier League clubs already have a pre-season fixture scheduled within 10 days of that.

Of English clubs, unsurprisingly, Premier League champions Manchester City have comfortably the most players in the Euro 2024 knockouts. The best represented Premier League side at the start of the competition have a full line-up of 11 stars still in Germany.

They are followed by the rest of last season's top three - Arsenal and Liverpool - who have eight and seven respectively. Manchester United also have seven while Brentford - aided by their healthy Danish contingent - have six and Crystal Palace five.

Championship play-off winners Southampton's three representatives were all eliminated at the group stage, while fellow newly promoted side Ipswich have not seen their summer impacted at all by players at Euro 2024.

Of the Championship-winning Leicester squad, goalkeeper Mads Hermansen and defenders Wout Faes and Jannik Vestergaard remain in Germany - as does Turkey's Yunus Akgun, who spent last season on loan with the Foxes.

This data was provided by Opta and counts the clubs where players finished at the end of the 2023-24 season.