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Arsenal star confirms dream transfer

Updated: 29 May 2026 14:45 BST | 4 min read

Mikel Arteta, Arsenal

Cameron Smith

Cameron Smith | Digital Content Producer

Accredited sports journalist covering football since 2020

Arsenal defender Riccardo Calafiori has confirmed that he would like to return to boyhood club AS Roma as he has “unfinished business” with the Giallorossi.

Calafiori, 24, spent 12 years at Roma after joining their academy as a child, but he only made 18 first-team appearances for the club before completing a permanent move to Swiss side Basel in 2022.

The Italy international enjoyed an excellent debut season at Basel, which convinced Bologna to spend €23.9 million to bring him back to Serie A in 2023. One year later, after helping Thiago Motta’s side qualify for the Champions League, Calafiori completed a high-profile move to Arsenal, snubbing interest from Chelsea in the process.

The 24-year-old has played a key role as a left-back under Mikel Arteta in north London and with his current deal not due to expire until 2029, he is highly unlikely to depart the Emirates Stadium anytime soon.

However, Calafiori has admitted that he wants to prove himself at Roma before his playing career draws to a close.

Speaking to Italian outlet Corriere della Sera ahead of Arsenal’s clash against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final on Saturday, Calafiori said (via The Standard" href="https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/arsenal-fc-riccardo-calafiori-transfer-news-b1284062.html" target="_blank">The Standard)): “I’m happy here now, but I’ve left some unfinished business with Roma.

“I barely played for that team when I was very young. I’d like to return. Not right away, but sooner or later.”

Riccardo Calafiori wants to rejoin Roma

Arsenal to sanction several summer sales

While Calafiori has confirmed that he doesn’t want to leave Arsenal this summer, there are several Gunners stars who could be forced to depart the club before the start of the 2026-27 campaign.

The Premier League winners are keen to sign a new full-back, a new central midfielder and a new forward this summer, and they will be required to raise their transfer budget through player sales in order to fund these moves.

Gabriel Jesus is expected to leave if an offer worth roughly €20m arrives, while Ethan Nwaneri, Leandro Trossard, Gabriel Martinelli, Fabio Vieira and Ben White could all be sold too.