Arsenal have received a major boost in their pursuit of Italy star Riccardo Calafiori as he has reportedly put in a transfer request to Bologna.

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• Calafiori demands Bologna exit
• Has already agreed to personal terms with Arsenal
• Gunners negotiating a transfer fee for the defender

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  Calafiori has already reached an agreement on personal terms with Arsenal, settling on a five-year contract that will see him earn €4 million annually. However, the final hurdle remains: reaching a conclusive agreement with Bologna regarding the transfer fee.

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• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  According to Corriere di Bologna, if Arsenal fails to finalise the deal swiftly, Calafiori is expected to rejoin Bologna for pre-season training. This places additional pressure on Arsenal to expedite negotiations and secure the defender's services before he resumes duties with his current team.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  However, according to Resto del Carlino, Bologna are already in the market for a new defender, anticipating Calafiori's impending departure after he put in a transfer request to the management. Initially, Arsenal's bid included €45 million (£38/$49m) plus €5 million in bonuses. Bologna, however, is holding out for a straight €50 million (£42/$54m) transfer fee. Moreover, it has been reported that the Serie A side is also adamant to include a massive 40-50 per cent sell-on clause in the deal.

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• WHAT NEXT?

  With Calafiori keen on the move and personal terms already settled, it seems a matter of time before Arsenal makes the necessary adjustments to secure the deal. Securing his services would be a significant coup for Arsenal, bolstering their defensive options ahead of the new season. The Italian defender is known for his versatility and ability to play both as a centre-back and a left-back. Hence, his arrival would provide Mikel Arteta with more tactical flexibility while setting up his backline.

Tags: Futebol
Category: News