Arsenal Secures Go-Ahead for Riccardo Calafiori Transfer Following Bologna’s Reversal
In a significant development for Arsenal, the club has received promising news regarding the potential transfer of Italian and Bologna defender Riccardo Calafiori.
Following an impressive season in Serie A, the 22-year-old has garnered considerable attention for his performances at Euro 2024 with Italy. This has put several top European clubs on alert.
Among those interested are Liverpool, Juventus, and Manchester United, all of whom have been linked to Calafiori in recent weeks. Arsenal has also joined the fray, with Relevo journalist Matteo Moretto reporting that the Gunners have been evaluating his profile over the past few days. Despite the Premier League interest, Juventus remains the frontrunner to secure his signature.
According to football.london, Arsenal’s primary focus is on strengthening their midfield. However, bolstering their defensive options is also on the agenda, with players like Jarrad Branthwaite, Leny Yoro, and Marc Guehi being considered alongside Calafiori.
Bologna’s successful season, culminating in Champions League qualification, has naturally attracted interest in several of their players. Manchester United, for instance, is already looking into a deal for Joshua Zirkzee, who has a £34 million release clause.
While Bologna had initially planned to retain Calafiori, renowned transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has indicated that this is becoming increasingly unlikely. The club now anticipates receiving significant offers for the defender.
Although Juventus is leading the race for Calafiori, they have yet to finalize a deal with Bologna. This leaves an opening for Arsenal, Liverpool, and Manchester United to make their moves.
The exact transfer fee Bologna is seeking remains unclear, but estimates suggest a figure around £40 million could be sufficient. Comments from Bologna’s chief, Marco Di Vaio, suggest that this price could rise in light of Calafiori’s standout performances at Euro 2024.
Di Vaio told Libero: “We know Calafiori well and have been monitoring him for years. The European Championships will likely increase his value significantly, but our intention is to retain all of our players.”
