Calafiori SMASHES transfer record with Arsenal move

Carlo Garganese

29 Jul 2024 12:10 CDT
3 min read

Riccardo Calafiori, Bologna, 2023-24 — © IMAGO

Riccardo Calafiori has smashed the record of Bologna’s biggest-ever sale with his transfer to Arsenal.

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The Italy centre-back has joined the Gunners in a €45 million transfer from the Serie A side.

This fee is more than double the price of Bologna’s most expensive sale of all time.

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Simone Verdi’s €24.5m move to Napoli from 2018 was previously the highest fee Bologna ever received for a player.

Calafiori has now smashed this record by joining Arsenal, with a deal having been made official on Monday.

FootballTransfers exclusively reported that Arsenal had opened 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.

The Bologna centre back quickly agreed personal terms with the Gunners on a contract until 2029 for a reported €4m a year.

Arsenal have beaten a host of big clubs to Calafiori, including Chelsea 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 is no issue to Arsenal.

© IMAGO - Calafiori shone at Bologna last season

Calafiori’s former club Basel will receive a 40-50% sell-on amount when the defender is sold.

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.