OFFICIAL NOW ✅: Fabrizio Romano confirms that Arsenal has finalized a deal to sign Riccardo Calafiori from Bologna.
Arsenal has successfully completed a deal with Bologna to sign Riccardo Calafiori, a highly sought-after defensive target, as confirmed by Fabrizio Romano. This transfer marks Arsenal’s first major acquisition in what has otherwise been a quiet summer transfer window.
The north London club will pay slightly less than the previously speculated €50 million for Calafiori. Romano reports that Arsenal has agreed to an upfront payment of €40 million, with an additional €5 million in performance-related add-ons. Bologna will owe 50% of the profit from this deal to Calafiori’s former club, FC Basel.
Arsenal acted quickly to secure Calafiori’s commitment after his potential move to Juventus fell through. Although Calafiori initially preferred a transfer to Juventus, Bologna refused to negotiate with them after Juventus poached Bologna’s head coach, Thiago Motta.
Chelsea had also shown interest in Calafiori, but once it became clear that he was determined to join Arsenal, they shifted their focus to Renato Veiga, who had previously been Calafiori’s replacement at Basel.
Calafiori is expected to integrate immediately into Mikel Arteta’s starting lineup at the Emirates. His performances last