New Arsenal signing refused to even talk to Chelsea

Carlo Garganese

3 Sept 2024 09:30 BST
3 min read

Mikel Arteta, Arsenal, Enzo Maresca, Chelsea — © IMAGO

Riccardo Calafiori refused to even talk to Chelsea before signing for Arsenal.

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According to The Athletic, Chelsea entered the race to sign the Italy defender this summer but Calafiori didn’t even entertain their offer.

Arsenal had been in talks with Calafiori for much of 2024 before Chelsea entered the race later in the summer.

At that point, Calafiori did not even want to speak to Chelsea, partly out of respect to Arsenal.

Calafiori eventually joined Arsenal in a €45 million move from Bologna.

© IMAGO - Calafiori (centre) was one of the Premier League signings of the summer

FootballTransfers exclusively reported that Arsenal opened official talks with Bologna over a possible deal for Calafiori after Jorginho recommended his Italy teammate to Mikel Arteta.

Arsenal’s Italian midfielder Jorginho personally recommended Calafiori to Arteta, informing the Gunners boss that he should seriously consider signing the Bologna defender.

Arsenal beat a host of big clubs to Calafiori, including Chelsea, Real Madrid and Juventus.

Juventus had been favourites to sign Calafiori - and the player had long since agreed personal terms with the Bianconeri - but Bologna were reluctant to sell to their Serie A rivals.

Bologna’s asking price was also a problem for Juventus, but was no issue to Arsenal.

© IMAGO - Calafiori shone at Bologna last season

Calafiori’s former club Basel received a 40-50% sell-on amount when the defender was sold.

He has so far made two substitute appearances for the Gunners this season

Calafiori in 2023-24

Calafiori was one of the breakout stars of the Serie A season in 2023-24, playing a key role in Bologna’s shock qualification for the Champions League.

A modern centre back, Calafiori has displayed all the qualities and attributes of a potentially top-class defender.

The 22-year-old presses and reads the game excellently. His use of the ball is superb and he is renowned for bringing the ball out of defence and joining in the construction of the play in midfield and beyond. He is aggressive and excellent in the air.

Calafiori was converted from a left back to a centre back by now former Bologna manager Thiago Motta - now the new Juventus boss.

The defender also enjoyed a brilliant Euro 2024 group stage, setting up Mattia Zaccagni’s memorable 98th minute equaliser for Italy against Croatia.

Read more about: Premier League, Arsenal, Chelsea, Riccardo Calafiori