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Journalist has provided update on Arsenal’s move for Riccardo Calafiori as things get ‘messy’
- EXCLUSIVE from Graeme Bailey
Given Arsenal’s appetite to conclude a move for Riccardo Calafiori, some sources in Italy expected that a deal would already be concluded by now.
However, as we near the end of Euro 2024, Calafiori is still a Bologna player and Arsenal are yet to announce a new signing this summer.
David Raya’s permanent move from Brentford has been confirmed, but Arsenal supporters will eventually want to see fresh arrivals, too.
That being said, TBR Football can now share some insight into why Arsenal’s deal for Calafiori is being delayed, and what Bologna are now demanding.
TBR understands that Arsenal’s move for Calafiori isn’t moving as fast as some sources have recently suggested.
Bologna are demanding €50m for their defender and won’t accept a deal spread over a long period – which has become typical in the era of FFP and PSR.
Bologna owe half of any fee recouped for Calafiori to Basel, who they signed the defender from only last summer.
Bologna will lose 50% of their profits on Riccardo Calafiori and Joshua Zirkzee
After coming through the Roma academy, Calafiori left Italian football after a series of injuries disrupted his progress at his boyhood club.
And when bringing him home, Bologna included a clause surrendering 50% of any future profit on Calafiori, meaning they would only part with a modest fee for the 22-year-old initially.
TBR understands that it’s the same situation with Joshua Zirkzee, who looks set to join Manchester United from Bologna this summer too.
Basel are only getting 50% of the profits on any deal for Zirkzee as well, explaining why things have become ‘messy’.
Arsenal have done their work on Calafiori and they feel he is the best option, but will only conclude if the deal is right from them.
Edu and Mikel Arteta have already shown a willingness to walk away from significant targets if they feel value is not being achieved, as was the case with Mykhaylo Mudryk in the past.
Of course, some Arsenal fans may then wonder why the club don’t appear to be so defiant in negotiations for players leaving the club – having often failed to recoup satisfactory fees.
And in a summer in which Arsenal might sell Eddie Nketiah and Aaron Ramsdale among others, it’s important that the Gunners begin to get it right.
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