Arsenal appear to have secured the signing of highly sought-after defender Riccardo Calafiori from Bologna, outmanoeuvring several top European clubs in the process.
The Gunners’ successful bid of €45 million has paved the way for Calafiori’s move to North London, ending a fierce transfer battle described as “an international assault”.
The 22-year-old Italian international, who honed his skills at Roma‘s youth academy, had attracted significant interest from clubs across Europe.
In Italy, Juventus were keen on securing his signature and tried to close a deal before the Euros, while Borussia Dortmund and Bayer Leverkusen expressed strong interest from Germany. Spanish giants Atletico Madrid were also reportedly in the mix.
However, Calafiori‘s preference for the Premier League gave Arsenal a significant advantage. The Gunners, along with Chelsea and Tottenham, actively pursued the talented defender and made ‘concrete moves’ according to Italian reports. Ultimately, Arsenal‘s determination and financial muscle proved decisive in securing the deal.
This transfer saga has also ignited a financial dispute involving three clubs. Bologna‘s sale of Calafiori triggers a complex sell-on clause with Basel, his former club, entitling them to 50% of the transfer profit. This means Basel stands to gain a substantial €22.5 million from the deal.
However, the financial implications don’t end there. Roma, Calafiori’s youth club, claims a 40% stake in Basel‘s share of the profit, potentially amounting to €8-9 million. This claim has caused friction between Roma and Basel, with the Italian club threatening legal action to ensure they receive their due share.
Despite the ongoing financial wrangling, Calafiori‘s move to Arsenal is expected to proceed as planned. The young defender is eager to work under Mikel Arteta and has already agreed to a lucrative five-year contract worth €4 million per season.
Calafiori‘s arrival at the Emirates Stadium is seen as a major coup for Arsenal, strengthening their defensive options with a promising talent who has already impressed in Serie A and on the international stage.
With Calafiori expected to complete his move to Arsenal this week, the focus will shift from the financial intricacies to his on-field contributions. As the new Premier League season approaches, Arsenal fans eagerly anticipate seeing their latest signing in action, hoping he can replicate his impressive performances in Arsenal’s red and white.