David Seaman has encouraged current Gunners star Aaron Ramsdale to quit the team this summer and supported Arsenal’s £40 million acquisition of Italy defender Riccardo Calafiori.
Calafiori, who had a breakout season for Bologna in Serie A last season and then made an impression in Italy’s short Euro 2024 campaign, is nearing an agreement with Arsenal.
The 22-year-old is reportedly eager to transfer to north London and work under Mikel Arteta, although he has also been linked to Chelsea, Arsenal’s London rivals.
Although Seaman is dubious about Calafiori’s ability to play left or center defense in place of William Saliba or Gabriel, he is adamant that the Italian would “improve” the team and fortify Arsenal before the 2024–2025 season begins.
After placing second in the Premier League the previous two seasons, Arteta’s team will want to go even better the following year.
When questioned about Arsenal’s pursuit of Calafiori, Seaman told Betway, “That would be another improvement to the squad.”
“Calafiori adds competition for spots and depth in case of injury, but William Saliba and Gabriel are not replaced in the starting lineup.”
‘Arsenal learned a tough lesson when Saliba was out two seasons ago. We missed him massively, and Takehiro Tomiyasu was injured at that time so Ben White couldn’t move to centre-back.
‘Whether the club need to sell one or two defenders will be on Mikel Arteta’s mind now. It’s tough to say who might leave – Kieran Tierney is injured again and might be out for a while with a bad hamstring injury.
‘As much as you want to continue buying players, you now have to balance the books with the profit and sustainability rules.’
Arsenal have endured a subdued start to the transfer window but completed their first summer signing last week, securing David Raya on a permanent contract following his loan spell from Brentford last season.
Raya’s move to the Emirates Stadium has thrown Ramsdale’s future into doubt and Seaman insists he should leave this summer in pursuit of more regular football.
Ramsdale, who joined Arsenal in 2021, has been linked with Newcastle United and Chelsea in recent weeks.
“I’ve always said Aaron is too good to be a number two,” Seaman stated to the Daily Star. He’s a terrific player. He must play. I’m not sure where that is, though. It’s an odd circumstance.
You would really like him to remain because it would be fantastic for the club. But for his career, he must relocate.
And it applies to England as well because he will continue to fall in their rankings if he is not playing.
Although Gareth Southgate’s team has advanced to the semi-finals thanks to the efforts of Three Lions No. 1 Jordan Pickford, Ramsdale has spent the last month in Germany with England’s Euro squad.