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Fabrizio Romano shares early morning update on Arsenal’s push to sign Riccardo Calafiori
After Arsenal’s interest emerged in Riccardo Calafiori over the last week or so, progress has since been very fast.
Calafiori starred for Italy at Euro 2024 – that exact kind of player fans watching on will have wanted their club to pursue.
And in the case of Arsenal supporters, it seems as if they may be getting their wish.
Mikel Arteta was thought to have requested a new left-back this summer, someone to act as an upgrade on Oleksandr Zinchenko.
And although Calafiori is predominantly a centre-back, the left-footed Italian is incredibly versatile, as he showed in Germany.
Calafiori is well suited to playing as a full-back in a similar vein to Ben White, offering an attacking outlet as well as all of his defensive attributes.
And to strengthen his profile further, the 22-year-old is also able to step into midfield in a deep role, as we saw for Italy.
That being said, did share an update on X of Arsenal’s progress in any deal for Calafiori in the early hours of the morning.
Arsenal could have Riccardo Calafiori advantage because of Bologna relationship
It’s reached the point now where every day/hour seems significant in Arsenal’s pursuit, given Chelsea and Juventus are also thought to be interested in the defender.
Fortunately, Romano has just shared that Arsenal are preparing for more contacts with both Bologna and Calafiori to push through a deal.
The journalist also pointed to the ‘excellent relationship’ the two sides have after the deal to bring Takehiro Tomiyasu to Arsenal in 2021.
Romano shared: “Arsenal are preparing for more contacts over Riccardo Calafiori deal on both player and club side.
“Excellent relationship with Bologna after Tomiyasu deal, price tag around €50m.”
Romano was replying to his own update on X regarding Arsenal’s presentation of a ‘long-term proposal’ to Calafiori over the last 24 hours.
As stated, things seem to be moving very fast for the defender who would become the fifth Italian to play for Arsenal in the modern era.
Jorginho is currently at the club, reportedly playing a role in the deal, and Arsenal have also enjoyed the services of Arturo Lupoli, Vito Mannone and Emiliano Vicario in the past.
That being said, it is now also being reported that Arsenal are willing to offer Calafiori higher wages than Jakub Kiwior, who many feel he will replace.