Since the start of this month, the Italian media have stated Arsenal want to sign Riccardo Calafiori and he’s keen to join them. The Premier League side have to find an agreement with Bologna, which they haven’t done so far.
The defender joined the Serie A side from FC Basel in August 2023, and the Swiss club are entitled to receive 50% of the fee from his future sale.
On Tuesday, Corriere dello Sport stated Bologna have threatened to call off the 22-year-old’s move to Arsenal if Basel refuse to accept less than 50%.
Gazzetta dello Sport claim the centre-back will start pre-season training with the Serie A side as their negotiations with Arsenal is ‘frozen’.
The Italian club want €50m for the star and they will have to pay 50% of the fee to Basel. There’s a small chance the Swiss club could lower their percentage, which is why the deal to take Calafiori to Arsenal is ‘currently on standby’.
Another report from Gazzetta backs it up and they provide a background on what took place in recent days.
It seemed the Italy international would move to Arsenal immediately based on the work done by Bologna in the past few days, but there’s a ‘stalemate’ and therefore, the deal to take him to the Emirates is currently ‘at a standstill’.
Bologna are hoping for Basel to accept less than 50%, as they are not in a hurry to sell him ‘under disadvantageous conditions’. If they sort this out with Basel and then agree a deal with Arsenal, Calafiori can move to London.
This is unlikely to happen anytime soon, which is why Gazzetta say the player will be in pre-season training later this week.
