Just in: united veteran defender set off for a £40 million deal.
Arsenal have been presented with an opportunity to sign Bologna‘s highly-rated centre-back, Riccardo Calafiori, as the Italian club reportedly encourages bids from Premier League sides.
Calafiori, a 22-year-old left-footed defender, has caught the eye of several top clubs with his impressive performances for Italy at Euro 2024, although he was absent from their defeat to Switzerland as he served a yellow-card suspension.
Bologna, eager to capitalise on his rising stock, are open to selling him this summer.While Juventus initially led the race for Calafiori, their recent appointment of Thiago Motta, Bologna’s former manager, has apparently complicated negotiations. Bologna are reluctant to strengthen a domestic rival and are reportedly favouring a sale to a Premier League club.
Arsenal have already expressed interest in Calafiori, making an enquiry to gauge the feasibility of a deal. However, their pursuit might depend on the future of their own defender, Jakub Kiwior, who is also attracting interest from Juventus and AC Milan.
The Gunners face competition from Liverpool and Chelsea, both of whom are seeking to strengthen their defensive options. Liverpool’s sporting director, Richard Hughes, previously tracked Calafiori during his time at Bournemouth, while Chelsea are looking for a left-footed centre-back who can also play at left-back.
Bologna are expected to demand a hefty fee for Calafiori, likely exceeding £40 million, as Basel are entitled to 40% of any sale over £5 million due to a sell-on clause.
Arsenal’s financial strength could give them an advantage over Juventus, who have already made a significant investment in Aston Villa‘s Douglas Luiz this summer. Additionally, Arsenal’s existing relationship with Bologna, having previously signed Takehiro Tomiyasu from the club, could also prove beneficial.
However, Juventus have reportedly already secured Calafiori’s approval for a move, leaving Arsenal with the task of convincing the player to choose the Premier League over staying in Italy, something that often proves an impossible task.
The transfer saga surrounding Calafiori is likely to intensify in the coming weeks, with Arsenal facing stiff competition for his signature should they decide to make an official move. The outcome will depend on various factors, including the player’s preference, the financial terms offered by the interested clubs, and Bologna’s willingness to negotiate.
