Riccardo Calafiori to Arsenal transfer latest: Negotiations get 'tough', swap deal 'rejected', Bologna stance

Arsenal continue to be linked with a move with Riccardo Calafiori with talks continuing between the Gunners and Bologna. Mikel Arteta is keen to land a left-footed centre-back who can also play as a left-back, and the Italy international appears to be the preferred option.

Calafiori was one of the bright sparks in an otherwise disappointing Italy side during Euro 2024, and his Serie A form has also seen him attract attention. There is interest aplenty in the centre-back this summer, but it appears as though Arsenal are the furthest down the line this summer, with the player already reportedly agreeing personal terms. But that is only half the battle, with Edu and Arteta needing to strike a deal with Bologna to land the Italian. Here we round up all the latest on the possible transfer.

Latest reports

The latest report on the Calafiori saga has come from journalist Ben Jacobs via GiveMeSport. Arsenal and Bologna are still struggling to agree a fee, with talks rumbling on. Jacobs said: "Arsenal still want Riccardo Calafiori, but the negotiations are also relatively tough, because Bologna are sticking to their asking price of around €50million (£43million). Arsenal are still deciding whether that is value for money or whether they're going to decide to look elsewhere.

"Things are advanced between the two clubs, and the player is now waiting for Arsenal, so he is fully sold. He wants that move, and he's also aware that Juventus are out of the race because they think the overall package is too expensive. So a couple of months before the window, Juventus were the frontrunners, and they also had player buy-in, but they've not indicated they're not prepared to move at the €50m asking price."

Swap deal rumours

With Bologna demanding around £43million for Calafiori, there have been reports that Arsenal have tried to offer Jakub Kiwior as part of the deal. Kiwior may not be required with the presence of Oleksandr Zinchenko, while Calafiori could also play on the left.

But according to Il Resto del Carlino and Il Corriere dello Sport, as things stand, the defender will report back for training on July 20 with the swap deal having been rejected, while there has been no agreement. Other reports in Italy claim Arsenal have matched the asking price with the inclusion of performance-based add-ons, but Bologna appear to want more of the money guaranteed.

Bologna admission

As has been well publicised at this point, Bologna technical director Giovanni Sartori has already confirmed that a departure is on the cards for Calafiori. He said earlier this month: “I can confirm that we will consider proposals for Riccardo Calafiori.”

He added: “It’d be fantastic to keep him but we have to be realistic. In case of good proposal, we will discuss about that; and we anticipate clubs from abroad to move. I think he will not end up joining Juventus. Probably he can go abroad, in case we decide to sell him. We’d like to keep Calafiori so let’s see what happens."