PL winner doesn’t understand Arsenal’s pursuit of Riccardo Calafiori

While EURO 2024 proceeds to the quarter final stages, a whole host of players who participated in the tournament continue to be linked to clubs all across Europe.

Devang Prasad sat down with Mikael Silvestre to discuss some of these potential moves and what they could add to Arsenal and Bayern Munich.

Arsenal’s links to Riccardo Calafiori are surprising

The Gunners have been strongly linked with a move for Bologna defender Riccardo Calafiori with sections of Italian media reporting that the two clubs have agreed on a deal.

Silvestre, however, is surprised that Arsenal are moving for him considering they have an abundance of centre-backs and it looks unlikely that either William Saliba or Gabriel Magalhaes would be unseated from their positions.

“You have Timber, Kiwior, Tomiyasu who can play at CB. Gabriel and Saliba haven’t shown any signs of weakness. They’ve been super fit.”

“I’d be surprised if Arsenal goes for another CB of that calibre.”

“I don’t think the club needs another CB. If you have to spend money you go ahead and do it on a No. 9.”

A No. 9 should be the priority for Arsenal

The Frenchman believes that Arsenal’s priority should be signing a No. 9 as that is what can help them keep pace with Manchester City.

“I think that should be an area that they should look at improving and to bring competition to the squad. No. 9 would be the priority in my view.”

He further adds that the Gunners are on the right path and titles are not too far away. He backs Mikel Arteta as he sees the Spaniard’s passion and commitment to win the league or Champions League with the North London club.

“Yeah they are on the right path. The problem is that you have to be able to continue and maintain the pressure on Manchester City and whoever is going to come into the race next season, if somebody can. You have to be resilient.”

“Mikel has the desire to achieve something with Arsenal. He’s fully committed. It’s going to be tough but I’m sure he’ll try hard.”

Manchester United’s starting lineup in their final Premier League match of last season. How different will it be on matchday 1 of the new season?

Matthijs de Ligt won’t be an automatic starter for Manchester United

Moving to Old Trafford, Silvestre commented on the Red Devils’ advanced pursuit of Dutch international Matthijs de Ligt.

The former France international doesn’t see de Ligt as an automatic starter for Man Utd when he joins, owing to his assessment that he didn’t really progress or develop since leaving Ajax for Juventus and then Bayern Munich.

“De Ligt hasn’t progressed and developed since he left Ajax. He went to Juventus and now he’s at Bayern Munich. He hasn’t played much.”

“I don’t see him being the number one choice at Manchester United even though they have to deal with issues in defence. We don’t know if Lindelof will stay. Harry Maguire is there but you need one or two CBs.”

“I don’t see De Ligt as the number one choice from the beginning. Maybe he can grow into it. But because of his last two years, I don’t imagine him being a regular partner for Lisandro Martinez from the start of the season.”

Jarrad Branthwaite is one for the future but he’s overpriced right now

The other CB Manchester United have been linked to is Jarrad Branthwaite of Everton. The young English defender had an impressive 2023-24 campaign and the Toffees are reportedly looking for a fee around £70 million for him.

While Silvestre sees Branthwaite as one for the future, he thinks that Everton’s asking price is too much for a player who was not selected for England’s EURO 2024 squad.

“Branthwaite is not in the England squad is he? He’s not.”

“If he was playing at EURO 2024 you could pay that much money but he’s not. He’s overpriced right now.”

“Very good player. One for the future who could definitely be an option for United but at that price, no way the club should do that.”

Red Devils should keep Rashford – replacing him will be expensive

A key player who could be on his way out of Old Trafford is Marcus Rashford. The Englishman was well below par in the 2023-24 season but Silvestre is of the view that he should be retained.

The four-time Premier League winner states that replacing Rashford will be expensive. He adds that Rashford’s status as an academy product and senior player should also be considered.

“Letting Rashford go would not be the right decision because you need to go in the market and find someone better than Marcus, if that’s the case. If you find that player he will be very expensive.”

“Marcus is a senior, experienced Mancunian from the academy. I think he wants to stay. The manager likes him.”

“I just hope Marcus bounces back this season.”

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