Arsenal defender Riccardo Calafiori has expressed a desire to return to his boyhood club Roma, amid reports that the Gunners are planning to make Piero Hincapie's loan move permanent. The 23-year-old Italian has struggled for game time since returning from a December injury, starting just one Premier League match after being replaced by Hincapie at left-back.
Speaking on Italian podcast Supernova, Calafiori said: "I'd like to return to Roma sooner or later. We can't plan it, of course, but yes, I want to return." The defender spent 12 years at Roma as a youngster before moving to Basel and later Bologna, where his performances earned him a £33.7m transfer to Arsenal in 2024.
Calafiori's comments come after Mikel Arteta hinted that Arsenal intend to trigger Hincapie's £45m purchase option at the end of the season. The Ecuadorian joined on loan in January and has impressed, further limiting Calafiori's opportunities.
Despite his desire to return to Roma, Calafiori insists he is happy at Arsenal and enjoys working under Arteta. "He's a really demanding guy, but I like it," he told Sky Sports. "It's always better when your coach is asking you things in a good way... it's crazy how much effort he puts every time, every day."
Calafiori left Roma after falling out of favour under Jose Mourinho following a 6-1 defeat to Bodo/Glimt. "I left something unfinished," he said. "It all started very well... then came Bodo Glimt-Roma and from that moment on, I didn't play again."
