Arsenal make statement of intent as they close in on Riccardo Calafiori transfer

Arsenal are advancing in negotiations with Bologna as they seek to tie up the signing of Italy international defender Riccardo Calafiori. The Gunners have ramped up talks for the highly-coveted 22-year-old after the Azzurri were dumped out of Euro 2024 last Saturday following a 2-0 defeat to Switzerland in Berlin. Italian sources suggest Arsenal have already seen an opening verbal proposal rebuffed by Bologna but the two clubs are now thought to be close to striking a deal. Thiago Motta, who recently fired Bologna into the Champions League before leaving to take charge of Juventus last month, had been keen on a reunion with Calafiori in Turin.

However, while Juventus have been prioritising a midfield rebuild, Arsenal have been laying the groundwork with the versatile defender's representatives, World Soccer Agency, presenting his agents with their ambitious project before opening club-to-club discussions.

But until a deal is closed between all parties, nothing is certain, particularly given a host of other clubs including Chelsea, Bayer Leverkusen and Paris Saint-Germain have also shown interest in the player, who has been away on holiday this week. Calafiori's former club FC Basel are also due a significant cut - potentially up to 50 per cent - of any transfer fee due to a complex sell-on clause. Additionally, if Arsenal were to strike an agreement, there would be further question marks surrounding the future of Jakub Kiwior amid concrete interest from Serie A. Juventus are among the Poland international's suitors and Motta knows the player well having previously worked with Kiwior at Spezia. AC Milan, Napoli and Roma also admire the 24-year-old.

Arsenal will not sell Kiwior on the cheap, however, having paid £20m to sign the defender in January 2023. He became a regular starter last season under Mikel Arteta and played a crucial role in their end-of-season Premier League title charge after the Gunners made it clear that he was not available for transfer in January. Offers for left-back Oleksandr Zinchenko are also likely to be considered.

Speaking to Radio Sportiva, former Bologna sporting director Walter Sabatini recently outlined his fury at the prospect of Calafiori being sold to the Premier League.

He said: "It’s a disaster when strong, young players like him leave our league. €45 million as a valuation is a huge sum but the defenders are paid even more. I think it’s the minimum for someone like him: left-footed, physically imposing, authoritative and with personality in the game.

“Let’s remember what he did in the 96th minute against Croatia: he came out with the ball at his feet, ran forty meters, took on the defence and passed the ball. These are plays you only do if you have quality and courage and the courage to take risks and to execute the action is something only great players can do.”