'Amazing': Micah Richards says he's been blown away by Euro 2024 defender Arsenal reportedly want to sign

One Arsenal-linked defender has been earning rave reviews for his performances at Euro 2024.

The Gunners, like almost every other club in the world, are keeping a close eye on what’s happening in the tournament in Germany.

A few big stars have failed to deliver despite going into the competition with a lot of hype, but several others have blown people away with their performances.

One of them has been linked with a move to Arsenal, and Micah Richards has heaped praise on him after watching him in the group stage.

Micah Richards shares what he thinks about Arsenal target Riccardo Calafiori

Italy haven’t had a great Euro 2024 so far – they’ve won just one of their first three games in the competition.

That is disappointing considering that they are the defending champions, but there is one player who is earning a lot of praise for the way he has played – Riccardo Calafiori.

The versatile defender has started as a centre-back for Italy in each of their first three games, and he has been outstanding.

Calafiori even provided the assist for Mattia Zaccagni’s 98th-minute equaliser in Italy’s final group game against Croatia. That goal sent Luka Modric and his teammates out of the tournament.

Irrespective of what happens in the remainder of Euro 2024, Calafiori will be a wanted man in the transfer window, and it is almost certain that he will move to a bigger club than Bologna.

Richards has heard that there is a lot of interest in Calafiori from clubs like Arsenal and Manchester City, and he has raved about him after watching him in action in the group stage.

Speaking on the Rest is Football podcast, he said: “Calafiori – amazing! He’s the one everyone’s talking about. All the big clubs are linked with him.

“He plays his football for Bologna, and I think Arsenal are interested. I’ve heard Man City are interested.

“Really good on the ball, can score goals, can defend. And when we’ve been doing the games, I’ve been concentrating on Bastoni, but Calafiori has been equally impressive.”

Signing Calafiori will end one player’s Arsenal career

Mikel Arteta has many defenders at his disposal at Arsenal.

Gabriel Magalhaes, William Saliba and Ben White are all guaranteed starters, while the likes of Takehiro Tomiyasu, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Jakub Kiwior and Jurrien Timber are all still there as well.

Calafiori is a phenomenal player, and Arsenal are right to consider him. However, if he moves to the Emirates, one of the Gunners’ current defenders will have to leave.

We think Kiwior will be that man because the Pole, like Calafiori, is a left-footed centre-back who can also fill in as a left-back.

It won’t be easy for any club to sign Calafiori this summer, but if Arsenal get him, we think that will be the end of Kiwior’s time at the Emirates Stadium.

There is a lot of interest in the Poland international too, with reports claiming three Italian clubs including Napoli are interested in signing Kiwior this summer.