Arsenal missed out on signing Italy legend Giorgio Chiellini but could now learn from their mistakes with Riccardo Calafiori transfer

Arsenal could be set to learn from past missed opportunity as they close in on Riccardo Calafiori.

talkSPORT understands the Gunners have reached an agreement in principle with Bologna to sign the centre-back this summer.

Calafiori is on course to arrive after an excellent 2023/24 campaign and solid Euro 2024 with Italy, despite their last 16 exit to Switzerland.

At the age of 22, he could be set for a long stay in north London and an arrival that sees Arsenal possibly make amends for missing out on a footballing legend.

Giorgio Chiellini is regarded as one of the best centre-backs of all-time having won nine Serie A titles with Juventus and the Euros with Italy amongst other honours.

He has long-been one of the toughest defenders in the game, so much so that Arsenal legend Robin van Persie revealed he wanted the club to sign him when he was there from 2004 to 2012.

"At a given moment I felt called upon to say what Arsenal could do better in order to win the league," he told Kaj Gorgels in 2020 via the Daily Mail.

"I felt we lacked a winning mentality, and asked Arsene Wenger to sign Giorgio Chiellini. I have played against him a few times, and he is a genuine winner.

"You could see that when he played against Holland a few weeks ago.  He is 36 years old, but he'll dish out nine elbows every game with a smile on his face.

"He'll keep smiling and never get a yellow card. You need those types of winners and killers in your side. I felt we should get him."

Chiellini remained at Juventus and spent 18 years there, as well as earning 117 caps for Italy before retiring in 2022, to cement his status as a legend.

It would take a lot for Calafiori to achieve such levels of success but a move to Arsenal could help take him to the next level.

He scored two goals and assisted another five in 33 appearances for Bologna last season and is able to also play at left-back if needed.

Calafiori will become Arsenal's first signing of the summer as Mikel Arteta's side build towards a third consecutive Premier League title challenge.