- Arsenal have reportedly agreed a deal with Bologna for Riccardo Calafiori
- The Italy international is capable of playing at centre-back or left-back
- Calafiori will not be taking part in Bologna’s pre-season preparations
Arsenal target Riccardo Calafiori has not been included in Bologna’s squad for their upcoming pre-season training camp.
The Gunners have reportedly agreed a deal with Bologna for the Italian defender.
As reported by Fabrizio Romano, the Gunners are set to pay €40m (£33.7m) plus €5m (£4.2m) in add-ons, with a sell-on clause also inserted into the deal.
And the transfer appears to be edging closer to being finalised with Calafiori’s name nowhere to be seen on the squad list for Bologna’s training camp in Valles, Rio Pusteria.
On Monday, Romano posted on X: ‘Riccardo Calafiori did not get called up for Bologna duties after returning from holidays.
Riccardo Calafiori has not been included in Bologna’s squad for their pre-season camp
‘Arsenal and Bologna agreed on €40m plus €5m deal with sell-on clause also included, Calafiori agreed on five year deal with #AFC. Just waiting for Bologna and Basel green light’
Calafiori’s name was not on the squad list
It is anticipated that personal terms will not be an issue as Arsenal look to secure the signing of the defender.
Calafiori joined Bologna from Basel last year for just £3.4million and the Swiss club will receive 50 per cent of Bologna’s profit if he moves. Bologna and Basel need to agree the sell-on payment terms as the final step in the deal.
Capable of playing at centre-back or left-back, Calafiori has five Italy caps, three of which came at Euro 2024.
He missed Italy’s defeat against Switzerland in the round of 16 through suspension.
Calafiori has made 33 appearances for Bologna and helped the club to qualify for the Champions League for the first time.
The defender came through the ranks at Roma, for whom he made 18 senior appearances. Calafiori also had a loan spell at Genoa prior to signing for Basel in 2022.
Mikel Arteta looks set to add the Italian defender to his ranks after a deal was agreed
Arsenal’s only senior signing so far this summer has been David Raya, with the goalkeeper joining permanently from Brentford following his loan spell last season.
Calafiori’s…