Arsenal agree deal worth £38m for Euro 2024 star - report
- The Gunners pushing ahead with deal to sign Riccardo Calafiori
- Bologna willing to sell but only once preferred payment structure is agreed
- Former club Basel entitled to significant amount of money thanks to sell-on clause
Arsenal have reached an agreement with Bologna for the signing of Riccardo Calafiori, according to reports.
The 22-year-old enjoyed an excellent season at club level, helping Bologna qualify for the Champions League, but it's his exploits with Italy at Euro 2024 that have really thrust him into the limelight.
The Italian's value has risen sharply because of his displays, ensuring Bologna will make a significant profit – despite former club Basel having a 50% sell-on clause – on the £3.4m outlay they made just a year ago.
Talks with Arsenal – the club to emerge at the front of the queue to sign Calafiori – over a €50m (£42m) deal had been dragging on for a couple of weeks, with both parties looking to negotiate a payment structure that suits their needs best.
Bologna were understood to be holding out for €45m plus €5m in add-ons, including a high up front payment - something Arsenal wanted to haggle down and replace with additional clauses and future incentives.
The Athletic first reported that Arsenal were 'accelerating' their efforts to sign Calafiori and wanted to complete a deal for the versatile defender 'as soon as possible', knowing that other leading clubs are looking to sign players with a similar profile.
Fabrizio Romano has now revealed that an agreement has been reached, which will see Arsenal pay a guaranteed €40m (£33.7m) fee, €5m in add-ons and includes a sell-on clause.
Tune in to The Chronicles of a Gooner - the Arsenal podcast - as Harry Symeou discusses the potential arrival of Riccardo Calafiori at the Emirates Stadium.
Calafiori, who was asked to attend pre-season training by Bologna as a deal continued to be thrashed out, has already agreed personal terms on a five-year contract, having ticked all of the boxes that Arsenal are looking for in a potential new recruit.
The Gunners have William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes established as their first-choice centre-back partnership, but Calafiori's ability to play in the middle or at left-back aligns with Mikel Arteta's preference to play inverted full-backs – a staple of most top teams at club and international level.
Calafiori also showed at Euro 2024 a willingness to step into midfield and advance with the ball, opening up pockets of space for Italy's forward players to exploit, and his positive intent while in possession was widely praised by pundits.
Should Arsenal conclude a deal, it's likely the club will look to move on one of their current full-back options – Jakub Kiwior the player most prominently linked with an Emirates Stadium exit to date.
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