Arsenal 'progressing' in £42m deal to sign Euro 2024 star ahead of Chelsea and Spurs

Arsenal are said to be ‘progressing’ in their pursuit of Bologna star defender Riccardo Calafiori. Widespread reports detail that a deal with the player and Bologna is near completion with the Serie A side having said ‘yes’ to the Gunners improved offer of £42 million.

Via Transfer News Live, the sports journalist Matte Moretto has said: “Arsenal are progressing in their deal to sign Riccardo Calafiori. The agreement with the player is there and the two clubs are negotiating a deal that is around €50-54m. New contacts in the last few hours have taken place.”

This report has been backed up by Tutto Mercato Web who noted that the Serie A side ‘previously turned down a bid’ just under £40m for the versatile centre-back - who can double up as a left-back - before the Emirates club came back with an improved and more convincing proposal for the 22-year-old.

If the deal gets across the line, Calafiori will mark Arsenal’s first summer signing of 2024 and Mikel Arteta will look to have him available for pre-season training in order to integrate him into the first-team ahead of the August 17 Premier League start date.

After finishing second to Manchester City once again in the 2023/24 campaign, Arteta will hope Calafiori can provide the required defensive support to help the formidable partnership of Gabriel and William Saliba as the Gunners seek to finally lift the Premier League trophy in May 2025.

The Italian international was a crucial element to Thiago Motta’s Bologna side last campaign, helping the club to achieve a fifth place finish, thus qualifying for the UEFA Champions League. His impressive domestic - and more latterly international - performances caught the eye of several of Europe’s top clubs but it would appear that Arteta has beaten the likes of Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur to the prized asset.

One of Serie A and Italy’s brightest talents, Calafiori has plenty of experience playing both in central defence and on the left flank. However, his pending Bologna departure has been cited as a ‘disaster’ for Serie A by the Italian club’s chief Walter Sabatini.

Speaking to Radio Sportiva, Sabatini said: “It’s a disaster when strong, young players like him leave our league. €45 million as a valuation is a huge sum but the defenders are paid more. I think it’s the minimum for someone like him: left-footed, physically imposing, authoritative and with personality in the game.

“Let’s remember what he did in the 96th minute against Croatia: he came out with the ball at his feet, ran 40 metres, took on the defence and passed the ball. These are plays you only do if you have quality and courage, and the courage to take risks and to execute the action is something only great players can do.”