The Bologna boss dropped a major update on Arsenal’s interest in Riccardo Calafiori

Admin July 25, 2024

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The Bologna boss dropped a major update on Arsenal’s interest in Riccardo Calafiori

The manager of Bologna, Vincenzo Italiano, confirmed that Riccardo Calafiori will close the season to transfer to Arsenal.

The Gunners have been leading the race for Calafiori’s signature since Italy’s exit from Euro 2024, but have had to overcome a lengthy battle over Bologna’s asking price and even the threat of a legal dispute between the defender’s former employers.

However, it was finally revealed on Wednesday that a formal agreement had been reached between Arsenal and Bologna over Calafiori, who was left out of the Italian club’s pre-season squad amid uncertainty over his future.

After Bologna’s 2-0 win over Bressanone, the Italiano gave an important update on the centre-back’s future.

“Calafiori’s situation is now clear,” Italiano said Italy’s Sky Sportconfirming the 22-year-old’s move to Arsenal.

Listen to 90 minute YouTube channel as Harry Symeou gets the lowdown on Riccardo Calafiori from Italian football journalist Alessandro Eremiti.

Calafiori is expected to join Arsenal’s squad in the United States before the start of the season to complete his move to the Gunners.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, however, did his best to put an end to the situation.

“Nothing new,” he told reporters after Arsenal’s pre-season win over Bournemouth. “As long as we have something to say. You know I don’t like to talk about foreign players.”

A fee of around £42m is believed to have been agreed with Bologna, who lost between 40% and 50% of that fee to former employers Basel as part of the sell-on clause agreed when they signed him last summer.