Bologna are trying to play hardball with FC Basel over a percentage due on the Riccardo Calafiori transfer.
The 22-year-old moved to Bologna at the end of the 2023 summer transfer window, and as part of the deal the Swiss club secured 50% of a future transfer.
That made things cheaper for the Serie A side and ensured that if the defender went for big money later then Basel would get a good share. Arsenal’s reported €50m offer has brought that situation around sooner than many expected.
Corriere dello Sport report Bologna are trying to pressure Basel to accept less than the 50%, with the threat that if they don’t then they could keep the player and cancel the Arsenal move.
In that case, Basel would get nothing on that deal this summer, but the tough guy approach may not stand a big chance of success.
Over at Gazzetta dello Sport they make it clear that Bologna need their share of the money from Calafiori themselves, wanting to make some big investments for a Champions League campaign.
Bologna are ‘trying to haggle’, say Gazzetta, but the agreement is firmly in place for Basel so they can hold their stance should they so wish. A small discount may be thrown in as a gesture, and to help the Arsenal move speed up.
