Ricardo Calafiori Arsenal future ‘SHIRT NUMBER’ revealed as agent and Bologna’s director gives greenlight to finalize €50m transfer tomorrow
Arsenal are making a determined effort to secure Bologna defender Riccardo Calafiori’s signature before rival clubs can intervene. The club has reportedly put forward an attractive offer, proposing a weekly wage of £65,000 to entice Calafiori to join their ranks.
Traditionally, Arsenal has been selective in strengthening their center-back options, recently acquiring only Gabriel and William Saliba. In contrast, their Premier League competitors have added talents like Josko Gvardiol, Wesley Fofana, Micky van de Ven, and Lisandro Martinez. This cautious approach seems poised for a change, as Arsenal reportedly leads the race to sign Calafiori. According to TuttoBologna, Arsenal has extended their terms to the former Roma player, aiming to bolster their squad for a potential first top-flight title in 21 years.
Arsenal has offered Riccardo Calafiori attractive terms to join their club, indicating significant progress in their pursuit. Despite not finalizing a transfer fee agreement with Bologna, Arsenal’s willingness to meet the demands of the deal has placed them ahead of other interested clubs like Chelsea and Juventus. Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has recently hailed Calafiori as ‘one of the best in the world’.
Arsenal’s offer to Calafiori stands at €4 million annually, equivalent to £65,000 weekly, while Bologna seeks a transfer fee around £43 million. Bologna might counter Arsenal’s offer with an improved deal to retain Calafiori, especially with their recent qualification for the Champions League.
Calafiori’s addition would be ideal for Arsenal. Known for their attractive, passing style, Arsenal would benefit from Calafiori’s skills. His market value is projected to increase, particularly following his notable performances at EURO 2024. Despite limited appearances for Italy prior to the tournament, Calafiori demonstrated solid defending, ball-handling confidence, and overall composure. Though he scored an own goal against Spain, he redeemed himself with a crucial assist in Italy’s draw against Croatia, securing their knockout stage qualification.
Such quality attributes are highly valued by Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta. Currently, Arsenal’s primary center-backs are William Saliba and Gabriel, with Jakub Kiwior as the main backup. Acquiring Calafiori would be a strategic move, offering depth as he can also play left-back if Oleksandr Zinchenko’s form falters. This acquisition would strengthen Arsenal’s defensive capabilities, enhancing their prospects in domestic and international competitions.
