Arsenal are now in pole position to snare the signature of Bologna and Italy centre-back Riccardo Calafiori after, according to TuttoMercatoWeb, Mikel Arteta and Co made offers to both him and his Serie A employers, which the Italian club will find ‘impossible to refuse’.
Despite having William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes and even Jurrien Timber and Jakub Kiwior – both of whom can be utilised centrally – at his disposal, the Spanish tactician is keen to bolster his defensive ranks ahead of 2024/25, a season earmarked as another chance to knock Manchester City off their perch.
After finishing five points off the pace in last campaign’s all-intense title race, tightening up their back line could be the difference maker come August. And given how well Calafiori performed in the summer in Germany, combined with his ever-growing status among football’s elite, the Rome-born star could be the perfect acquisition.
The Italian publication, via SportsWitness, have reported that Bologna have ‘said yes’ to a bid made by the north London-based outfit, which is believed to be around the €50 million mark, and Calafiori himself is on board with the project presented to him.
Corriere di Bologna, however, have played down the aforementioned report, suggesting that following Arsenal’s rejected €47 million, they are yet to return to the negotiating table with a revised offer. Calafiori, however, does have his ‘suitcase packed’ and will be making the jump from his native Italy to England in the coming days
