Arsenal close to agreeing Riccardo Calafiori deal with Bologna

Riccardo Calafiori. There has been no rush to complete early moves as Arsenal prepares for its preseason trip of the United States at the end of July.

Kai Havertz joined the Gunners at this time last year following a high-profile transfer from Chelsea. In addition, they had sold their first player, Pablo Mari, who was moving to Monza, and Granit Xhaka, who was only a few days away from joining Bayer Leverkusen.

Some may ask if the international events taking place in the summer have slowed down the pace. Potential targets have also been playing for their national teams, while Arsenal’s players are abroad at the Copa America and the European Championships.

Giovanni Sartori, the technical director of Bologna, has given Arsenal new hope in the pursuit of Riccardo Calafiori. Arsenal and Juventus have expressed interest in signing the center-back, who was among Italy’s stronger players at Euro 2024, for a reported sum of more than £40 million.

“There is talk of Juventus but also of many other teams,” Sartori told Sky Sports Italia. “At this moment we will try to keep him. If important offers were to arrive, we will have to think about it.

“I am not saying that we will sell him because the president has said that he wants to keep the whole team, but we will certainly make some evaluations. I do not think he will go to Juventus, he will probably go in a different transfer window, but I repeat that we would like to try to keep him.”