Arsenal transfer news: Defender holding up Calafiori deal

Arsenal are striving to make progress in the summer transfer window as Mikel Arteta tries to close the gap to Manchester City in the Premier League.

The Gunners know they need to strengthen their squad in the off-season if they are to knock City off their perch at the top of the table. They have already made one deal, making David Raya’s loan from Brentford permanent for £30million, but more transfers are needed.

Arteta and sporting director Edu are united in that desire, with a handful of top-quality additions being targeted. Arsenal have until 11pm on August 30 to get things done, but with the season starting on August 17, with a game against Wolves, they will want to get their business done earlier if they can.

There have been a lot of rumours swirling around, yet Arsenal are still not close to completing any transfers. With that in mind, here is the latest from Mirror Football.

Riccardo Calafiori has emerged as a key transfer target for Arsenal following an impressive showing for Italy at Euro 2024. He caught the eye in Germany after enjoying a strong campaign with Bologna, who qualified for the Champions League for the first time since 1964.

Yet Arsenal’s attempts to sign him have hit troubled waters, with Bologna trying to renegotiate a sell-on fee that Calafiori’s former club Basel have. At present, the Swiss side would be owed 50 per cent of his transfer fee to north London. Bologna value him at £42m, but Arsenal are currently £8m shy of that figure.

Another issue has now emerged, with The Times reporting that Jakub Kiwior is reluctant to join Bologna as a makeweight in the deal. Kiwior is open to returning to Italy, having joined Arsenal from Spezia 18 months ago, but would prefer to join AC Milan.

Arsenal are keen on signing Spain stars Nico Williams and Mikel Merino this summer, but Barcelona could get there first. Both Williams and Merino caught the eye at Euro 2024, providing key moments to bring the trophy home for their side and could move this summer.

Williams could leave Athletic Bilbao for around £50, while Merino is understood to be available from Real Sociedad for closer to £20m. Barca sporting director Deco has held preliminary discussions with Williams’ representatives, according to reports in Spain, while they are making headway on Merino too, despite Arteta personally reaching out to convince the midfielder to move to Arsenal.

Like Manchester United and Liverpool, Arsenal were credited with interest in Marc Guehi earlier this summer. His performances in place of Harry Maguire in England’s defence at Euro 2024 have only bolstered his reputation, but there’s a catch.

Crystal Palace value Guehi at north of £70m – a fee which has put off Arsenal. The Gunners could bolster their coffers by selling the likes of Eddie Nketiah, Emile Smith-Rowe and Reiss Nelson, but Guehi is still very unlikely to work due to profit and sustainability concerns.

Calafiori makes more sense financially and it seems he could still arrive in north London, even if it takes a bit longer than initially hoped.