Talks between Premier League heavyweights Arsenal and Serie A club Bologna over a deal for the €50 million-rated Riccardo Calafiori have stalled.
According to a report by Italian outlet Gazzetta dello Sport, Riccardo Calafiori is the subject of interest from Arsenal. The Gunners have been negotiating a deal for the Bologna defender for several weeks, with the Serie A club demanding €50 million to part ways with him in the summer transfer window. However, talks for the 22-year-old defensive prospect have stalled.
Riccardo Calafiori and his rapid rise
Riccardo Calafiori has established himself as one of the best young prospects in Serie A since joining Bologna from FC Basel last summer. The Rossoblu forked out a low-money sum to secure the services of the young centre-back, who returned to Italy after one year in Switzerland.
The 22-year-old was a regular for Bologna in the 2023/24 season and has turned out 38 times thus far for the Serie A outfit while chipping in with one goal and three assists. In addition, Calafiori has broken into his national team and was a regular for the Azzurri at UEFA Euro 2024.
Meanwhile, Calafiori’s exploits for his club and country have not gone unnoticed, capturing the attention of several high-profile clubs across Europe. The Italian international defender’s next destination will likely be the Premier League, with Arsenal pushing for his signature.
London calling?
Arsenal’s interest in Riccardo Calafiori is understandable. The Gunners have been scouring the market for a centre-back heading into the summer transfer window, with a left-footed centre-back being the priority. The Bologna centre-back has thus emerged as a viable target for the North London club.
The Gunners were closing in on securing Riccardo Calafiori’s services in the summer transfer window before talks reached a deadlock. The latest update has claimed that Arsenal’s negotiations to sign the 22-year-old prospect have stalled, with Bologna adamant on the price tag of €50 million.
It is unclear if Arsenal’s reluctance stems from the unwillingness to cough up €50 million or regarding some add-ons. However, with the Italian international keen on joining the North London club, the move should see the light of day sooner or later.
