Riccardo Calafiori deal stalls as two Arsenal players prepare for exit
The Gunners are still hopeful of completing a deal for the Italy defender as talks continue.
Arsenal remain locked in talks with Bologna over the signing of Riccardo Calafiori as talks continue over a gap in valuation, LondonWorld understands.
Calafiori wants to join the Gunners this summer after being identified as a long-term replacement for Oleksandr Zinchenko and Jakub Kiwior at left-back, while he can also be utilised at centre back.
A fee in the region of £42million still needs to be agreed, with Kiwior suggested as potential makeweight in the deal by the Italian side. However, the Poland international would prefer to join AC Milan after the Italian giants expressed an interest in signing him. Another factor is that Calafiori’s former club Basel will be due around 40% of the fee due to a sell-on clause.
22-year-old Calafiori is expected to be part of the Bologna squad that travels to Spain for pre-season on July 22.
Meanwhile, Emile Smith Rowe and Reiss Nelson are the subject of bids from Fulham and West Ham respectively.
Both Hale End academy graduates will be allowed to leave the club this summer for the right price, with the duo keen on getting regular game time elsewhere.
LondonWorld understands Fulham’s opening offer for Smith-Rowe was deemed ‘low’ by the Gunners, but they are expected to come back with an improved bid in the coming days.
24-year-old Nelson is open on moving to West Ham and sources close to the deal suggest the Hammers are the frontrunners to land the winger this summer.
Arsenal’s pre-season begins with a friendly against Bournemouth on July 25 in Los Angeles before facing games against Manchester United and Liverpool.