Arsenal respond to Chelsea interest in Calafiori as doubts rise over future of Arteta favourite

Suraj Radia

• 16 Mar 2026 09:57 GMT
• 5 min read

News

Arsenal have made a decision over the future of Riccardo Calafiori after reports linking the defender with a shock move to rivals Chelsea this summer.

Calafiori only joined the Gunners for €44 million in 2024 but the Italian has seen his time at the Emirates plagued with injuries and competing for a starting berth.

With Arsenal set to confirm the permanent signing of another left-sided defender in Piero Hincapie, speculation had emerged of Chelsea potentially attempting to tempt Calafiori away with a move across London.

Current ETV

Riccardo Calafiori

D (L)

Arsenal

Riccardo Calafiori

D (L)

Arsenal

€50.7M

ETV Range

€45.7M - €55.8M

View full profile

Calafiori had previously admitted he would be open to a return back to his native country but, despite interest from a number of Serie A giants, the 23-year-old remains a key figure for Mikel Arteta, who has long admired the youngster.

TEAMtalk have claimed that Arsenal have ‘no plans’ to move on from Calafiori and are ‘fully committed’ to keeping him at the club, with the player also said to be settled in North London and not ‘actively seeking’ a transfer away.

“He is a big player for the club and has played a big part in where it is now. He is an important player,” a source is quoted as saying. “The squad this year has been phenomenal, and the idea of a squad this strong is not going to change going forward.”

Hincapie arrival leaves Calafiori and Arsenal stars fighting for future

Injuries limited Calafiori to just 11 Premier League starts in his debut campaign for Arsenal and the Italy international has featured in 22 of his side’s 30 matches this year, with Hincapie sharing his minutes.

Calafiori has not completed a 90 minutes for Arsenal in 2026 and Hincapie came off the bench to provide a assist for Arteta’s side in their late 2-0 win over Everton on Saturday which could give the Ecuadorian a route back into the starting XI.

Hincapie joined Arsenal last summer on loan from Bayer Leverkusen but a €52m deal to make the move permanent has already been agreed, leading to the uncertainty over Calafiori’s future.

However, Arteta is keen to retain the strength in depth of his squad as his side look to establish themselves as the strongest team in the country, meaning Hincapie and Calafiori are likely to remain as Arsenal’s core left-sided defenders.

Instead, teenage left-back Myles Lewis-Skelly could seek an exit from the Gunners this summer, having made just one league start this campaign and finding himself out in the cold despite being nominated for the Premier League’s Young Player of the Year award last season.

Interest has continued to mount in Lewis-Skelly, although Arsenal are unlikely to sanction the 19-year-old’s permanent departure and could instead loan him out next season.

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