Featured Image Credit: Getty / CalcioMercato
Topics: Arsenal, Champions League, Euro 2024, Serie A, Transfers, Football, Mikel Arteta
Ryan Smart
Topics: Arsenal, Champions League, Euro 2024, Serie A, Transfers, Football, Mikel Arteta
Bologna chief executive Claudio Fenucci gave a brutal response when asked about defender Riccardo Calafiori's potential transfer to Arsenal.
The 22-year-old has been linked with a move to the Gunners since the summer transfer window opened last month.
Those links intensified as a result of Calafiori's impressive performances at Euro 2024 with Italy, despite Luciano Spalletti's side being knocked out at the last 16 stage.
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The Times reported that Arsenal were prepared to offer £37 million to sign the centre-back, who was converted from a left-back by the now former Bologna boss Thiago Motta.
Motta left the club for Juventus after guiding Bologna to the Champions League, a success which means the Italian side are able to demand more money for their key players.
It is claimed that Bologna want £46 million to sell Calafiori, with Arsenal's Jakub Kiwior a potential option to be included as part of a swap deal.
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However, reports suggest that the Poland international wants a move to a more high-profile Serie A club instead amid interest from AC Milan, Napoli and Inter Milan.
But when asked about interest in Calafiori, Bologna CEO Fenucci was not in the mood for much of a response.
He told Italian outlet CalcioMercato: "There's no news.
"Interest from Juventus? I haven't heard it, thank you."
Another complex issue in the transfer is the existence of a sell-on fee, according to Football Italia.
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Bologna paid £3.4 million to sign Calafiori from Basel last summer, but the deal contained a 40 per cent sell-on fee which is influencing the Italian club's asking price.
With the new Premier League season under a month away, Mikel Arteta and Arsenal will not be too worried yet - but will not want the transfer to drag on until much nearer to the opening weekend so that Calafiori can get some pre-season minutes under his belt.