Arsenal’s Initial €47 Million Bid for Calafiori Rejected by Bologna
According to Corrieredellosport, Arsenal has made a significant move in the transfer market, offering €47 million to secure Bologna defender Riccardo Calafiori for Mikel Arteta’s squad. However, the Serie A club has rejected this initial bid, seeking a higher fee for the 22-year-old talent.
Calafiori, considered one of Bologna’s most promising players, has drawn interest from top Premier League clubs. Arsenal’s offer, sent from London to Casteldebole, did not meet Bologna’s expectations. The Italian club values Calafiori highly, especially after his standout performances in the Champions League and his debut with the national team in the European Championship in Germany, where he played every match except the one against Switzerland, which they lost, due to suspension.
Bologna’s position is further strengthened by Chelsea’s interest in Calafiori. The Blues are also keen on the defender, and their involvement could drive the asking price up to €50 million.
A complicating factor in any transfer is the financial arrangement with Basel, which holds a 40% sell-on clause for Calafiori, following his transfer from Roma for about €2 million in 2022. Bologna would need to account for this in any deal. Giovanni Sartori, speaking at the transfer market event in Rimini, stated, “I don’t think he will go to Juventus,” emphasizing the club’s preference to retain Calafiori unless an exceptional offer is made.
Arsenal’s previous successful negotiation with Bologna for Tomiyasu, acquired in 2021 for around €20 million plus bonuses, might influence the ongoing talks. However, Bologna’s rejection of the €47 million offer indicates their firm stance on Calafiori’s value. The club has also been in discussions with the player, who has shown a willingness to stay, but the volatile nature of the transfer market means that Bologna’s management is vigilantly exploring their options for central defenders.
As the transfer window progresses, it remains to be seen whether Arsenal, Chelsea, or another club will meet Bologna’s valuation to secure Calafiori’s services.
Here’s hoping Gooners!
Peter Rix
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I read that we went back in with an extra 3 million euros making it 50m. I’m sick of Che at this stage they go after every player we are sold on No doubt they are watching us doing the groundwork and will try to gazump us once the details are sorted out They’ll probably offer the player a better financial package
Could Kwior be used as part of the deal?
It seems this guy is better than Kiwior. And he surely will not ask for the kind of wages that Williams is seeking
Guy is injury ridden as many have stated:
Per Rich on another site:
When looking at injury history, I wouldn’t just be looking at what’s made official, because not everything is made public:
I’d be looking at total available minutes, and what percentage of those minutes were played.
He played 68% of available league minutes last season.
Via Transfermarkt:
23/24 Knock 3 days
22/23 unknown injury 4 days
22/23 unknown injury 7 days
22/23 muscular problems 4 days
22/23 Torn muscle fiber 34 days
21/22 unknown injury 28 days
21/22 unknown injury 13 days
21/22 unknown injury 3 days
21/22 muscular problems 25 days
20/21 Hamstring muscle injury 39 days
20/21 Hamstring muscle injury 23 days
20/21 Hamstring muscle injury 26 days
20/21 Corona virus 26 days
19/20 Inner ligament injury 42 days
18/19 Ligament injury 290 days”
Hard pass….