Arsenal close to finalising £42.1m deal for top Italian defender

 

Arsenal are close to finalising the £42.1m deal for Bologna and Italy centre-back Riccardo Calafiori, reports Sky Sports. 

 

The Gunners have been locked in negotiations with Bologna over the fee for Calafiori, who established himself as one of the best young defenders in Europe last season. 

 

 

The 22-year-old's reputation soared at Euro 2024, where he was instrumental in Italy's progression to the last-16 stage before their eventual exit at the hands of Switzerland, a loss in which the player was suspended. 

 

Personal terms are not expected to be an issue for the Premier League side, while they are working on a payment structure after striking an agreement of the fee. 

 

Swiss side FC Basel inserted a 50% sell on clause in the deal that took Calafiori to Bologna last summer, which was why the Italian side demanded Arsenal match their terms for the transfer. 

 

Calafiori has been the subject of intense interest in recent weeks, with Juventus and Real Madrid also monitoring the Italian, though Arsenal look to have won the race for his services. 

 

 

The young defender is set to become the club's third summer signing after Arsenal made David Raya's loan move permanent and Tommy Setford joined from Ajax. 

 

No centre-back registered more assists than Calafiori (5) in Europe's top five leagues last season.