Arsenal will do a deal for Riccardo Calafiori in the end, according to a report, with the player already turning down Chelsea for the Gunners.
BERLIN, GERMANY: Riccardo Calafiori of Italy looks on prior to the UEFA EURO 2024 round of 16 match between Switzerland and Italy at Olympiastadion on June 29, 2024. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images for FIGC)
Speaking to Sky Sports News on Saturday, Gianluca Di Marzio reported that although Arsenal and Bologna are yet to reach an agreement for the transfer of Riccardo Calafiori, they should get there in the end, with the player very keen.
“Arsenal is a bit below (the asking price) but I think they will do the deal, yes,” Di Marzio said (via Chris Davison).
“He wants Arsenal, in his mind it is only Arsenal. Even Chelsea tried to get him but the player said he wants Arsenal.”
LEIPZIG, GERMANY: Riccardo Calafiori of Italy celebrates after Mattia Zaccagni of Italy (not pictured) scores his team’s first goal during the UEFA EURO 2024 group stage match between Croatia and Italy at Football Stadium Leipzig on June 24, 2024. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images for FIGC)
Recent reports from Italy had suggested that Bologna still want an improved offer from Arsenal before they’ll sign off on a deal, and they’re planning to call Calafiori up for pre-season training if that doesn’t happen.
But even those reports suggested that the eventual outcome appears to be set in stone, with no hints of a potential collapse for the move.
Di Marzio reported this week that Arsenal are offering €40m (£33.6m), plus €10m (£8.4m) of bonuses, and a sell-on clause. As it stands, Bologna are still asking for €50m (£42m) plus bonuses and a sell-on.
Calafiori’s agent is trying to bridge that gap in valuations between the two.
BOLOGNA, ITALY: Riccardo Calafiori of Bologna FC in action during the Serie A TIM match between Bologna FC and US Salernitana at Stadio Renato Dall’Ara on April 01, 2024. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
Various reports have confirmed that Arsenal are looking to get a deal done this week, or at least before the team head off to the United States on July 21st.
Personal terms have already been agreed on a contract to 2029, and Basel will receive 50% of the profit Bologna make from the transfer due to a sell-on clause.
Left-footed defender Calafiori made 37 appearances for Bologna in 2023/24, before playing for Italy at Euro 2024. As well as centre-back, the 22-year-old can also play at left-back.
Calafiori would be Arsenal’s third or fourth signing of the summer, having already brought in 18-year-old goalkeeper Lucas Nygaard as well as signing David Raya from Brentford on a permanent deal, with a fee now also agreed for Tommy Setford.
