Arsenal are set to land a new signing as a deal to sign Bologna defender Riccardo Calafiori moves closer and closer.
The Gunners are preparing for another Premier League campaign and, most probably, another title race with Manchester City.
Pep Guardiola’s men have come out on top two years in a row now with Mikel Arteta looking to finally get over the line.
David Raya is the only major deal for Arsenal so far this summer after the Spaniard turned his loan move from Brentford permanent.
Arsenal are working on further signings though with Ajax talent Tommy Setford wanted.
Bologna defender Riccardo Calafiori has also been wanted at the Emirates Stadium and a breakthrough appears to have been found.
Basel on Riccardo Calafiori clause
Arsenal have been chasing Calafiori after seeing him shine at Euro 2024.
That isn’t to say that Calafiori is a one-tournament wonder; he was exceptional last season as Bologna qualified for the Champions League.
An elegant defender who can play at left back or centre back, Calafiori is now close to joining a very talented group of defenders at the Emirates Stadium.
HITC understands that Arsenal have now reached an agreement in principle with Bologna as Calafiori nears a move.
Arsenal expect the deal to be done quickly now having overcome some issues in the negotiations earlier in the week.
One problem has been that Basel hold a 50% sell-on clause having sold Calafiori to Bologna last summer.
That has made negotiations a little tricky with Bologna looking to extract a large fee, given that Basel will be taking half of it.
Reports from Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport claimed just days ago that Bologna want to renegotiate that sell-on clause in order to help facilitate a deal.
Basel are in line for a major pay day but Bologna seemingly hope that the fee of missing out on that cash will see them reduce their demands.
However, Basel sporting director Daniel Stucki has now told 20minuten in Switzerland that the club have had no contact with Bologna about changing the sell-on clause.
“We have not received an official request from Bologna – neither (president) David Degen nor I,” said Stucki.
Maybe the call from Italy is coming, maybe Bologna have decided to just get the deal done and stick to the clause they agreed a year ago.
Arsenal will just be hoping for the green light to go and finalise the deal and will be praying that there are no hitches to come.
Calafiori’s ability on the ball – as seen with a superb driving run to set up an equaliser against Croatia at Euro 2024 – means he will be very valuable to Arteta and Arsenal.
The Italian still has a huge future ahead of him and he will not only present a fine option at left back, potentially even moving into midfield, but also as cover and competition for Gabriel Magalhaes as Arsenal’s left-sided centre back.
The move has been described as a ‘disaster’ as another top talent prepares to leave Serie A, but it may well be Arsenal’s gain as a deal moves closer and closer.
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