Arsenal transfer IN DOUBT amid €50m price tag

Cameron Smith

• 16 Jul 2024 17:30 BST
• 3 min read

Arsenal are still pushing to sign Italy defender Riccardo Calafiori, but Bologna aren’t willing to lower their current asking price.

The Serie A side are holding out for at least €50 million, well aware that Calafiori’s former club Basel will be owed 50% of any transfer fee.

The 22-year-old has already agreed personal terms with Arsenal and is only interested in joining the Gunners, however the move has not advanced in recent days.

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Calafiori starred as Bologna secured Champions League qualification for the first time since the 1960s last season, notching seven goal contributions in 30 Serie A appearances from central defence.

In addition, he was arguably Italy’s best player during their disappointing Euro 2024 campaign.

FootballTransfers understands that Jorginho personally recommended Calafiori to Mikel Arteta and Arsenal have acted quickly to agree terms with the Italian amid competition from Chelsea and Juventus.

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However, the deal could be in doubt as Bologna aren’t willing to lower their asking price, according to GiveMeSport’s Ben Jacobs.

Will Riccardo Calafiori join Arsenal?

As per Jacobs, Arsenal are still determined to sign Calafiori, but negotiations are relatively tough and they are still deciding whether €50m is value for money or if they should look for alternatives.

If Arsenal decide to sign Calafiori for €50m, he will become their joint-eighth most expensive signing of all time, along with Thomas Partey.

The Italian is expected to be deployed at left-back if Arsenal reach an agreement to sign him, with Calafiori set to join a defensive unit that already includes Gabriel Magalhaes, William Saliba, Benjamin White, Jurrien Timber, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Jakub Kiwior.

Kiwior, however, could leave the Gunners if Calafiori arrives. The Poland international was reportedly included in Arsenal’s latest offer for the 22-year-old, but Bologna swiftly rejected this bid as they want to maximise the fee they earn for Calafiori.