Riccardo Calafiori is reportedly on the verge of joining Arsenal, with the North London club set to beat Chelsea to the Bologna defender.
According to a report by Italian outlet Calciomercato, Riccardo Calafiori is the subject of interest from Arsenal. The Italian international has also been a target for Chelsea. However, the Gunners are closing in on signing the Bologna defender, whose price tag is worth €50 million. Meanwhile, the youngster has agreed to a five-year contract with Arsenal, with his salary doubling at the Emirates.
Riccardo Calafiori and his rapid rise
Riccardo Calafiori would not have dreamt of becoming as highly sought-after as he has become in the last 12 months when he joined Bologna from FC Basel in August 2023. The 22-year-old hit the ground running at the Serie A club and has turned out 33 times thus far for the Rossoblu, chipping in with two goals and five assists.
The youngster’s exploits have also helped him break into his national side. Calafiori made his senior bow for Italy ahead of UEFA Euro 2024 and has made five appearances thus far for the Azzurri. Meanwhile, the Italian international’s progress has not gone unnoticed, capturing the attention of several high-profile clubs across Europe, including Arsenal and Chelsea.
London calling
Arsenal’s defensive unit was top-drawer in the 2023/24 season, with William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes forging a rock-solid central defensive partnership. However, the Gunners wanted a versatile defender who could reprise different roles in the backline, bringing Calafiori into the picture.
The Gunners have intensified their efforts to sign Riccardo Calafiori shortly after expressing their interest in the youngster. Personal terms are not an issue, and the 22-year-old will sign a five-year contract that doubles his wages if he moves to the Emirates. The latest update has revealed that the Bologna defender, who will cost around €50 million, is on the verge of joining Arsenal.
Arsenal will beat Chelsea to Riccardo Calafiori’s signature after the West London club pursued him for a few weeks. The Blues have been keen on signing a centre-back despite landing Tosin Adarabioyo, with Trevoh Chalobah and Benoit Badiashile facing an uncertain future at Stamford Bridge.
However, Chelsea will lose the race to secure Riccardo Calafiori’s services, with Arsenal closing in on landing him in a deal worth €50 million. It will be interesting to see who emerges as the top defensive target for Chelsea now.
