Chelsea boost as Arsenal have £40m bid for talented 22-year-old rejected despite leading the race

Chelsea could receive a boost in their pursuit of highly sought-after Riccardo Calafiori after Arsenal, who thought they had secured him, saw their £40 million bid turned down by Bologna.

According to Corriere dello Sport, the Italian club wants around £42 million for the 22-year-old, who has strong interest from Chelsea. Calafiori played every minute of the Euro 2024 group stages for Italy but was suspended for the Azzurri's round of 16 defeat to Switzerland.

He was a standout performer as Italy defied the odds against Croatia, showcasing his talent at a high level, which has attracted Chelsea's interest.

Calafiori also played a key role in helping Bologna qualify for next season's Champions League for the first time, finishing fifth in Serie A.

He still has three years left on his current deal, and Bologna is not willing to lower the price tag for one of Europe’s best talents. The fact that Chelsea and Arsenal are showing interest and he coming from a strong display in the Euros means they’ll have to meet his club asking price.

Chelsea's focus on young talent

Chelsea has positioned itself as a team targeting some of the best young talents in the world. This summer, they have already agreed on deals for 18-year-old Marc Guiu and Aston Villa’s Omari Kellyman.

They have also secured Estevao Willian, who Neymar has praised as an exciting player, and Kendry Páez, who is expected to be a big star in the near future. With young talents like Cole Palmer and Romeo Lavia, Chelsea is looking to dominate football for a long time.