Arsenal have taken the lead in the race to sign Riccardo Calafiori after making offers to both him and Bologna.
Earlier today, TuttoMercatoWeb stated the Serie A side have ‘said yes’ to the Gunners’ €50m bid. It was also reported the defender has been convinced by the project and offer proposed by the north London club.
Corriere di Bologna have partly played down TMW’s report as they insist Arsenal haven’t yet made a new offer since Bologna rejected their initial bid of €47m.
The Italy international’s displays at the Euros and after his club last season have seen several clubs take notice.
Among these, Mikel Arteta’s side have a ‘clear advantage’ after they proposed a five-year deal worth €3.5m to the centre-back. They are ready to offer an improved bid to Bologna, who ‘will soon’ receive a €55m offer.
The report doesn’t make it clear if the €55m is including or excluding bonuses, but they state the Italian club, who paid €4m to buy Calafiori in 2023, will find this ‘impossible to refuse’. The player has ‘suitcase packed’, and is moving to England, as far as they have it.
It’s claimed there’s expectation that the deal to take Calafiori to Arsenal could be closed ‘within a few hours’, or at the latest by this weekend.
TMW earlier today had also stated the deal could be sealed this week and that seems to be the likelier outcome than in the next few hours.
