Arsenal defender Riccardo Calafiori has expressed his desire to return to AS Roma in the future, citing “unfinished business” with his boyhood club. The 24-year-old spent 12 years in Roma’s academy but only made 18 first-team appearances before a move to Basel in 2022.
Calafiori enjoyed a successful spell at Basel, which led to a €23.9 million transfer to Bologna in 2023. After helping Bologna qualify for the Champions League, he then joined Arsenal last year, reportedly turning down interest from Chelsea. He has become a key player at left-back for Mikel Arteta’s side, with his current contract running until 2029.
Despite his commitment to Arsenal, Calafiori told Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera, via The Standard, that a return to Roma remains a long-term ambition. “I’m happy here now, but I’ve left some unfinished business with Roma,” he said. “I barely played for that team when I was very young. I’d like to return. Not right away, but sooner or later.”
Arsenal are anticipating a busy summer transfer window, and are planning to raise funds through player sales to finance new signings. Gabriel Jesus is expected to be available for around €20 million, while Ethan Nwaneri, Leandro Trossard, Gabriel Martinelli, Fabio Vieira and Ben White are also potential departures. The club intends to strengthen its squad with a new full-back, central midfielder and forward. Calafiori’s long-term contract suggests he is not among those likely to be sold this summer, but his public expression of interest in a future move to Roma adds an interesting dynamic to his situation.
