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Arsenal preparing £65k-a-week contract offer for ‘powerful’ £42m star

Lucas Arnold

Thu 4 July 2024 7:35, UK

Arsenal are now said to be at the point of preparing a contract offer to secure the services of a player who is wanted by a host of top European clubs.

Mikel Arteta seemingly made his priority targets clear to Edu and his recruitment team early in the summer.

Arteta reportedly asked the club to sign a new left-footed defender, a central midfielder and a forward – someone who has the ability to change a game.

Arsenal’s unsuccessful pursuit of Benjamin Sesko perhaps fell into the latter category, but in truth was just seen as a market opportunity too good not to explore.

The Gunners never hinged their summer on the deal and quickly moved on.

That being said, it seems as if Euro 2024 has been an incredibly useful scouting tool for Arsenal, who have been able to watch a host of their reported transfer targets.

Real Madrid’s Arda Guler has been linked with Arsenal, a player who has been excelling for Turkiye in Germany.

And sticking in La Liga, Athletic Bilbao’s Nico Williams is also thought to be on Arsenal’s radar – even if his wages may be an issue.

However, the most significant pursuit is now that of Riccardo Calafiori.

Arsenal willing to offer Riccardo Calafiori higher wages than Jakub Kiwior

Arsenal are said to have already submitted a bid to sign Calafiori, who was arguably Italy’s best player at the Euros during their disappointing campaign.

And in that regard it’s been a whirlwind 24 hours or so, and judging by reports in Italy, negotiations are moving very fast.

And to that end, are now reporting that Arsenal are preparing their contract proposal for Calafiori.

The report states that the Bologna defender’s price tag is €50m (£42m) and Arsenal are willing to offer €4m a season to the player – which roughly equates to £65k-a-week.

Interestingly, that is more than Jakub Kiwior reportedly earns at Arsenal, a versatile left-footer also signed from the Serie A.

Kiwior is said to take home , and some feel that Calafiori’s arrival would pave way for the Poland international to leave.

Napoli are said to be very interested in signing Kiwior, along with a host of other Italian clubs.

And TBR Football recently shared that despite Arsenal’s reluctance to lose the defender, Kiwior would be keen to explore an Italian return.