The Gunners are looking to spend money yet again in the transfer window, with a whole host of stars coming through to their first-team in recent years including the likes of Declan Rice, Kai Havertz and David Raya. But the north London outfit are looking ahead, and with Calafiori being linked, a deal appears to be edging closer to completion with talks now at a daily stage.
Calafiori Has Been Linked With Arsenal
The Italian has been in great form for Bologna and Italy
Italy defender Riccardo Calafiori in action
Reports earlier in the transfer window suggested that Juventus were leading the race to sign the Italian centre-back after his outstanding season at Bologna, with the Turin-based outfit being Calafiori's 'first choice' of club was he to move on.
However those rumours have not developed, and after an outstanding EURO 2024 campaign with Italy other clubs have stolen the march, including Arsenal.
Riccardo Calafiori's Serie A statistics - Bologna squad ranking
Stats
Output
Squad rank
Appearances
30
=10th
Assists
5
1st
Clearances Per Game
2.5
3rd
Tackles Per Game
1.6
=5th
Interceptions Per Game
1.7
1st
Match rating
6.99
2nd
The Gunners have reportedly agreed personal terms with the former Roma talent on a wage of around £65,000-per-week, and all that is left to do is agree a fee with Bologna in the hope of landing their man with a few weeks for him to meet the squad in pre-season before playing a key role next season.
Romano: Arsenal and Bologna Negotiating "Daily"
The two clubs are closing in on an agreement
Italy's Riccardo Calafiori in action with Croatia's Luka Modric
Speaking exclusively to GIVEMESPORT, Romano revealed that negotiations were underway on a daily basis between Arsenal and Basel - though the Italian suggested that there are still issues to iron out despite personal terms being agreed. He said:
"The negotiation is underway now between Arsenal and Bologna. There's still no agreement whilst there has been talks between the two clubs, but they are negotiating on a daily basis to reach and agreement on the structure of the deal - on the fee, and all the details needed, including the 50 per cent of the deal to Basel.
"There are some points to clarify between the clubs, but there is an agreement with the player on a five-year contract until 2029, [which is] €4million (£3.4million) net salary per season."
Calafiori May Not Play Centre-Back for Arsenal
There are other pressing issues to iron out in defence
Riccardo Calafiori
Calafiori's main position is centre-back, and it will be tough for him to oust William Saliba and Gabriel from the heart of the defence if that is where Mikel Arteta has signed him for.
The duo formed the meanest defence in the Premier League last season with just 29 goals conceded throughout the league campaign, and with Saliba still developing as a young centre-back alongside Gabriel being a couple of years from hitting his peak, it wouldn't be the wisest idea in the world for them to break that up.
GIVEMESPORT Key Statistic: Riccardo Calafiori only joined Bologna from Basel last season
Instead, Calafiori could slot into the left-back role as well as offering immense backup to the centre-back pairing. Oleksandr Zinchenko wasn't at his best for the Gunners last season, and with Kieran Tierney likely to move on in the summer alongside Jakub Kiwior, Calafiori's arrival would be highly heralded at the Emirates Stadium in the inverted full-back role Arteta loves to utilise.
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Statistics courtesy of WhoScored. Correct as of 09-07-24.
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