Arsenal are extremely confident of landing Riccardo Calafiori this week as talks with Bologna for the defender entered the pivotal stages.
According to Football Insider, Arsenal are growing confident about signing Riccardo Calafiori this week. The Gunners have engaged in talks with Bologna at advanced levels, with discussions thought to be in the final stages. A £42 million move for the Italian international could be on the cards.
Arsenal closing in on Riccardo Calafiori signing
For the last week or so, reports from credible sources have confirmed Arsenal’s interest in Riccardo Calafiori and that negotiations have reached an advanced level. Bologna are not opposed to selling their prized asset despite having three more years on his deal.
Despite suggestions that Arsenal were meaning to offer €55 million after Bologna rejected their reported €47 million bid, the report only mentions a fee of £42 million, which is close to €50 million. There’s already an agreement on personal terms with Calafiori, with Fabrizio Romano indicating that the Gunners are set to pay the Italian a €4 million-a-year net salary and hand a five-year deal.
Arsenal has already beaten competition from Chelsea and even Juventus. The Italian giants were thought to be Calafiori’s preferred destination, but the Bianconeri may not be willing to pay as much as the Gunners are open to. Overall, the deal hinges on minor details, with the Gunners now extremely confident of landing the defender this week.
Arsenal have already lined up the final round of talks with Bologna to find an agreement. As the final feel for the £42 million-rated is doing credible rounds, the hold-up could be on the structure of the deal. These are things that get resolved with detailed talks, as the Gunners could land the Italian international in the coming days.
Where does Calafiori fit in at Arsenal?
Mikel Arteta likes a defensive addition, and he has been looking for a top-draw left-footed star for quite some time. While Jakub Kiwior did impress last season, he may not be the long-term answer to cover multiple positions, including the left-centre-back role and being a left-back.
As things stand, Arteta is likely to keep his central defensive partnership of William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes. Hence, Calafiori will likely begin the season as their new left-back, as Arteta likes to play a back four of centre-backs. The Italian international is set to fit in like a glove to a hand in this Arsenal defensive system.
