
Arsenal are edging closer to securing the transfer of Italian center-back Riccardo Calafiori, sources from ESPN reported. The Bologna defender is expected to travel to London to complete a medical with Arsenal in the coming days.
The Premier League club is expected to pay a fee in the region of €50 million ($64 million) for the Italian, with a significant portion of the fee set to be paid to the player’s former club Basel due to a sell-on fee built into his contract when he moved to Bologna in 2023.
Capable of playing at both center-back and left-back, Calafiori has become a central player for both Bologna and the Italian national team. He played a critical role in Bologna’s top-four finish in Serie A, securing a spot in this season’s UEFA Champions League. Calafiori played in all three of Italy’s group-stage matches in Euro 2024.
Upon completing his move to Arsenal, Calafiori is expected to represent his new club during their upcoming US pre-season tour. The Gunners are set to face Premier League rivals Manchester United and Liverpool.