European giants Real Madrid have made contact with Arsenal about signing a top star this summer for Jose Mourinho, according to Sky Sports journalist Gianluca Di Marzio.
The Gunners secured the Premier League title for the first time since 2004, finishing seven points ahead of Manchester City, while they suffered defeat in the Champions League final on penalties against back-to-back champions Paris Saint-Germain, in a hugely successful season.
But after two trophyless campaigns at the Bernabeu, the Spanish side are looking to strengthen their squad, and new manager Mourinho has made one north London star a key target.
Real Madrid Make Call to Arsenal for Calafiori
calafiori
Sky Sports report that Real Madrid have made a phone call to Arsenal about securing a deal to sign defender Riccardo Calafiori this summer.
Calafiori, who has been described as 'unpredictable' by Mikel Arteta, has been a regular for Arsenal this season playing at left-back but has seen injuries have an effect on him in recent campaigns, and he started the Champions League final on the bench behind Piero Hincapie.
Mourinho has identified the defence as an area of the Madrid side that needs strengthening, and feels that Calafiori's ability to play at left-back and centre-back would be a huge benefit to his side.
The club have made a call to London to discover if a deal is possible, and after initial contact there is a possibility of opening negotiations to take the 24-year-old to the Bernabeu. No fee has been mentioned at this stage, but talks are expected to be led by Alessandro Lucci, who played a major role in taking Calafiori to Arsenal in the first place.
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Real Madrid Usually Get Their Man
Arsenal's Riccardo Calafiori celebrates scoring their first goal
Premier League - Manchester United v Arsenal - Old Trafford, Manchester, Britain - August 17, 2025 Arsenal's Riccardo Calafiori celebrates scoring their first goal REUTERS/Peter Powell
While Arsenal are in a very strong position when it comes to negotiating or demanding a high fee, it's well known that when Real Madrid want to sign someone, they usually find a way to get a deal done.
Calafiori is a top talent, but injuries have certainly been a concern during his time at the Emirates. Hincapie and Myles Lewis-Skelly have both shown that they are more than capable of playing in the left-back role too, so if they can get a big fee in for him, then it may be worth considering.
With that said, if they decide that there is no deal worth doing for them, then keeping him means they will still have one of the best around in their squad, so they really are in a no-lose situation at this point.