![\"Riccardo](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1_Riccardo-Calafiori-and-Arsenal.jpg\")
<\/p>\nReal Madrid and Jose Mourinho are interested in Arsenal defender Riccardo Calafiori with the club facing a dilemma over whether to accept a major offer for regularly injured Italian<\/p>\n
Riccardo Calafiori has been linked with an exit from Arsenal this summer(Image: Harry Langer\/DeFodi Images\/DeFodi via Getty Images)<\/p>\n
Transfer silly season is in full swing in what feels like minutes after the season has come to an end, because it has. Arsenal are already linked to several big names ahead of what aims to be an ambitious window for Mikel Arteta\u2019s side.<\/p>\n
However, while the bulk of the talk addresses the incomings, there is the matter of outgoings. The club have got plenty of room to spend but can create even more under the new Squad Cost Ratio rules<\/a> by moving on some of their surplus talent.<\/p>\n Yet it is a player far from that label being targeted by one of Europe\u2019s giants. Real Madrid\u2019s potentially incoming head coach, Jose Mourinho, is keen on signing Riccardo Calafiori<\/a> from the Premier League champions.<\/p>\n FOLLOW OUR ARSENAL FB PAGE! Latest Gunners news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page<\/a><\/p>\n Suggestions are that Mourinho sees Calafiori as the final piece to his defensive puzzle after an early aggressive move to build a new back line for the Spanish team. Denzel Dumfries and Ibrahima Konate are expected to join Los Blancos, and the Italian would be the new left-back for Mourinho.<\/p>\n Arsenal<\/a>, football.london understands, have no intention of selling Calafiori, and are under no pressure to agree to a sale with the 24-year-old having three years remaining on his contract.<\/p>\n That said, there is perhaps some consideration if Real Madrid were to approach Arsenal and make a ridiculously high financial offer. The Gunners already have Piero Hincapie, and hold an interest in both Nathaniel Brown and Castello Lukeba.<\/p>\n In addition, Calafiori\u2019s availability has been a point of frustration for Arteta and supporters during his time at the club. Since arriving in 2024, he has missed 44 matchday squads for club and country due to injury, across nine separate problems according to Transfermarkt<\/a>.<\/p>\n In addition, Arteta confirmed that, after playing against Crystal Palace on the final day, he had suffered an issue in midweek, which meant he was unable to both start and come off the bench in the UEFA Champions League final.<\/p>\n When asked to explain his line-up for the final by broadcasters, Arteta said: “Jurrien [Timber] wasn’t ready to start. He’s done really well to at least be in the position to contribute with certain minutes. And with Richy, we’ve had certain issues with him during the week as well, so the others are starting.”<\/p>\n While the player is exceptionally highly rated and the primary response would be to hold onto Calafiori, the reality is that a huge offer would not be ridiculous for Arsenal to completely ignore because of these factors.<\/p>\n We’ve launched a new Arsenal podcast ‘Seeing Red’ with chief football writer John Cross and Arsenal reporter Tom Canton.<\/p>\n Each week, they will dive deep into the biggest topics as they follow Mikel Arteta’s side every step of the way – and will also discuss nostalgic flashbacks before each fixture.<\/p>\n It’s a great time to be an Arsenal fan, with the Gunners flying high under Arteta as they look to win silverware this season.<\/p>\n The North Londoners are going strong in the Premier League and Champions League – and they’re also in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals.<\/p>\n We’ll provide insight and reaction – and have fun along the way – as Arsenal target the biggest trophies this season.<\/p>\n No stone will be left unturned. VAR controversy? Poor performances? Unsung hero who deserves praise? Fixture chaos? We’ll have it all covered.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/0_SEEING-RED-ART-1.jpg\")
Welcome to ‘Seeing Red’ – our new Arsenal podcast<\/p>\n