Arsenal dealt Calafiori blow as Bologna reject swap deal offer

Cameron Smith

15 Jul 2024 18:30 BST
3 min read

Bologna have reportedly rejected Arsenal’s latest offer for Italy international Riccardo Calafiori as they hold out for an initial fee of at least €50 million.

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Calafiori, 22, has agreed personal terms with Mikel Arteta’s side, but the Gunners are yet to finalise a deal with Bologna and the Serie A side expect their star defender to return for pre-season by 20 July.

Chelsea and Juventus were both heavily interested in signing Calafiori this summer, however the Italian only wants to join Arsenal and is hoping that an agreement will be reached soon.

The major sticking point in Calafiori’s proposed move to north London is currently Basel.

The Swiss side sold Calafiori to Bologna last summer, but they crucially included a 50% sell-on clause, meaning they are entitled to half of the Italian’s transfer fee this summer.

As a result, Bologna are holding out for at least €50m.

Arsenal’s latest bid is €45m plus a further €5m in add-ons, while Jakub Kiwior has also been included in the offer, according to Italian outlet Il Resto del Carlino.

Bologna have been offered the Poland defender on loan with an obligation to buy, but they have refused to entertain such an offer.

The Serie A side are interested in Kiwior, although they will only pursue a move in a separate deal to the one that is expected to see Calafiori join Arsenal.

Bologna are also in negotiations with Basel in an attempt to lower their sell-on clause, but this is unlikely to yield any luck.

© IMAGO - Arsenal want to sign Riccardo Calafiori

Where will Riccardo Calafiori fit in at Arsenal?

Calafiori is expected to play a left-back if he joins Arsenal this summer, with the Italian set to join a formidable defensive unit that already includes William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, Benjamin White, Jurrien Timber, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Oleksandr Zinchenko and the aforementioned Kiwior.

He will become the Gunners’ second summer signing, following David Raya’s permanent move from Brentford, if Arsenal are able to agree a deal with Bologna.