Bologna will ask Riccardo Calafiori to start pre-season training with them unless Arsenal improve their bid for him, according to a report.
Corriere di Bologna (via Sport Witness) report that Bologna want Arsenal to make an improved offer to finalise Riccardo Calafiori’s transfer.
If no new bid is incoming, the Serie A club would have to ask the Italy international to rejoin pre-season training.
The good news is that the report suggests the eventual outcome “seems to be written”. There are no hints at this stage that the deal could break down completely. Bologna just want a little more than Arsenal have bid so far.
Gianluca Di Marzio reported this week that Arsenal are offering €40m (£33.6m), plus €10m (£8.4m) of bonuses, and a sell-on clause. As it stands, Bologna are still asking for €50m (£42m) plus bonuses and a sell-on.
In effect, the clubs are €10m apart, and Calafiori’s agent is trying to bridge that gap.
Various reports have confirmed that Arsenal are looking to get a deal done this week, or at least before the team head off to the United States on July 21st.
Personal terms have already been agreed on a contract to 2029, and Basel will receive 50% of the profit Bologna make from the transfer due to a sell-on clause.
Left-footed defender Calafiori made 37 appearances for Bologna in 2023/24. As well as centre-back, the 22-year-old can also play at left-back.
Calafiori would be Arsenal’s third signing of the summer, having already brought in 18-year-old goalkeeper Lucas Nygaard as well as signing David Raya from Brentford on a permanent deal.