Even if the European Championships are underway, there is still opportunity for evil because to the open transfer window.

Arsenal, which narrowly missed unseating Manchester City in the Premier League the previous year, is still searching for the proper players to assist them overcome that gap.

Despite having five less goals than the eventual winners, Mikel Arteta’s team had the best defensive record in the league.

Curiously, according to recent reports, it appears that Edu Gaspar and company aim to consolidate their significant advantage in the upcoming weeks. The most recent player rumoured to be heading to the Emirates is among the most intriguing defenders at the Euros and might be William Saliba’s perfect long-term partner.

News about Arsenal transfers

Arsenal has reportedly expressed interest in Riccardo Calafiori, the standout defender for Bologna, according to a recent report from transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano.

The player wants to join Juventus, but his club’s tense relationship with the Old Lady might result in his sale to a team outside of Serie A, according to the Italian journalist. Bologna also anticipates more Premier League clubs approaching them after Italy’s disappointing performance at the Euros this past weekend.

According to a report from football.london late last week, the player is reportedly looking to leave for a fee of £40 million. While that’s not a small sum of money, given his recent form and the opportunity to play with Saliba, it might prove to be worth it.

Why signing Calafiori would be a wise move

Calafiori’s ability to play on the front foot makes him a fantastic defender that Arsenal should definitely sign. He might be crucial to the Gunners’ ability to dominate games and put pressure on their opponents.

For instance, the 22-year-old ranks in the top 1% of centre backs for assists, the top 3% for shot-creating actions, the top 4% for interceptions, and the top 8% for successful take-ons, all per 90, according to FBref, which compares players in similar positions in Europe’s top five leagues.

But even if Arteta manages to land his man, he’ll probably only be a regular member of the club. This means that he’ll probably compete with Gabriel for a starting spot, since Saliba started all of the side’s league games the previous season, indicating that the Spaniard has no plans to bench him.

Looking at the underlying numbers of the Italian and Brazilian defenders is the most effective way to compare them in this particular situation.

Regretfully, the former LOSC Lille ace finds that his prospective rival is better in practically every parameter when he does this.

In terms of assists, progressive passes, progressive passes received, progressive carries, passing accuracy and live passes, shot and goal-creating actions, tackles won, blocks and interceptions, ball recoveries, aerial duels won, and successful take-ons, all per ninety, the six-two-inch “monster,” as data analyst Ben Mattinson has nicknamed him, leads the pack.

Though one could counter that Serie A is not as competitive as the Premier League, it is difficult to deny how much Mattinson’s “sensational” center-back performs better than Gabriel’s raw stats.

In the end, Arsenal must seize the opportunity to sign Calafiori for as little as £40 million, since he and Saliba together might help the team achieve an even better defensive record the next year.