The Gunners have finally got their first major signing of the summer done, in the form of Bologna central defender Riccardo Calafiori. One of the most tedious transfer sagas of the summer, it’s finally over. Mikel Arteta’s side have their young Italian star-in-the-making, and after weeks of speculation, the deal has now been officially announced.
And as Calafiori heads in, to the back line, another Gunner leaves, from the attack. Emile Smith Rowe is headed to Fulham FC.
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Team News
Smith Rowe is headed to southwest London on a £34 million ($43.7) including add-ons, according to multiple outlets. The deal is structured so that £27m will be the up front money, with a further £7m in incentivized potential pay.
The Brazilian becomes the most expensive signing in Fulham history.
Elsewhere Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, William Saliba and David Raya remain away from the team, as they are on their holiday following a busy summer of international duty.
There are no new real injury concerns at this time.
Paul M. Banks is the Founding Editor of The Sports Bank. He’s also the author of “Transatlantic Passage: How the English Premier League Redefined Soccer in America,” and “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry.”
He currently contributes to USA Today’s NFL Wires Network. His past bylines include the New York Daily News, Sports Illustrated and the Chicago Tribune. His work has been featured in numerous outlets, including the Wall Street Journal, Forbes, the Washington Post and ESPN. You can follow him on Linked In and Twitter.