Riccardo Calafiori to attend Bologna pre-season as Arsenal talks stall - report

Riccardo Calafiori has been asked to attend pre-season training with Bologna while his move to Arsenal hangs in the balance, reports have revealed.

While the Italian's move to north London looked set in recent weeks, the two clubs are yet to reach an agreement over the Italy international.

As per reports from The Times, Bologna want £46m for Calafiori, while Arsenal have offered £37m for the defender.

The Gunners are also keen on using Jacob Kiwior as part of a swap deal to bring in Calafiori, but the Poland international wants to wait for a move to AC Milan, rather than join Bologna, and is yet to give his approval to the move.

Key to Bologna's stance is a sell-on clause with Calafiori's former employers Basel, with reports suggesting they are due close to 50% of the profit after his £3.4m switch to Italy last summer.

Bologna are set to travel to Valles on 22 July for a number of pre-season friendlies and, according to Sky Sport Italia, have requested that Calafiori joins them on the retreat as there is currently no agreement in sight over a summer exit. Meanwhile, Arsenal's pre-season games begin on July 25, when the team travel to the United States to face Bournemouth.

Mikel Arteta's side may be without some of their big stars who have recently returned from Euro 2024, but the boss will also have to make do without Calafiori for the time being.

Arsenal's movements in the summer transfer window have been slow, with the signing of David Raya their only permanent move made so far. New Profit & Sustainability Rules have forced the club to be vigilant in their signings, but Calafiori remains a player that they want to get over the line.

It has not yet been revealed how Arteta could utilise Calafiori, who can play in either a left-back role or as a central defender, but it's thought that the boss could turn to the Italian as an inverted full-back.

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