Bologna is prepared to accept an offer from Arsenal for defender Riccardo Calafiori, who is ready to join the Gunners, in the range of €55 million (£46.5 million).
Following an incredible season at Bologna, where he helped the Serie A team qualify for the Champions League next season, Calafiori, 22, has become a priority transfer target for both Arsenal and Chelsea.
The center-half made an impression in Germany despite Italy’s early elimination from Euro 2024, and Arsenal is currently finalizing an agreement to sign him for the Premier League.
Report from Corriere dello Sport On Thursday night, Bologna got a “monster” bid from Arsenal for about €55 million, which is thought to have persuaded the Serie A team to sell.
Mikel Arteta’s side have been eager to wrap up a deal quickly with Chelsea also interested and have now presented an offer which they feel will get the transfer over the line in rapid fashion.
The deal is now in the hands of Bologna president Joey Saputo and CEO Claudio Fenucci.
Arsenal have also agreed personal terms with Calafiori, who will quadruple his Bologna salary by making the move to north London. Arsenal have sanctioned a four-year deal for the defender, the report claims.
Earlier this week, Bologna’s technical director Giovanni Sartoria admitted Calafiori would likely leave the club if they receive an ‘important’ offer outside of Italy.
‘We took him 12 months ago, so we’ll see what happens in the market, but in our heads there is the will to keep him,’ Sartori said.
‘We will try to keep him, but if important offers arrive, we will have to take them into consideration.
‘I don’t think he will go to Juventus, he will probably go to a different market.’
Arsenal have one of the best centre-half pairings in the Premier League in William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhães but the addition of Calafiori would an extra level of depth to a squad preparing to fight on four fronts this coming season.
Another attacking option is among Arsenal’s list of summer targets but the club have been looking to improve in ‘every department’ after narrowly missing out on the Premier League title last term.
‘We are looking to improve in every possible department,’ Arteta told ESPN this week.
‘With the new regulations, there are certain things we have to respect and be conscious of and then obviously the Euros and Copa America are slowing everything down. Hopefully now it is going to pick up a little bit.’