Arsenal have now been warned by Bologna that they will do one thing with Riccardo Calafiori if negotiations aren’t completed quickly.
Arsenal are still working to secure the services of Riccardo Calafiori.
Mikel Arteta is desperate to bring the Italian defender to the Emirates Stadium, and as soon as possible. Calafiori has agreed personal terms with Arsenal, but the Gunners are still yet to strike a deal with Bologna.
The Serie A club have set an asking price of £43 million. As things stand, though, the North London club have not shown a willingness to invest that figure.
There is still confidence that Arsenal will get a deal for Calafiori done, but with pre-season now underway, Arteta will want the 22-year-old at the club as soon as possible.
Arsenal told Riccardo Calafiori will join Bologna for pre-season unless Mikel Arteta gets his wish
Journalist Charles Watts certainly believes that Arteta is eager to get this deal done, with Arsenal set to jet off for their pre-season tour of the USA in just a matter of days.
Speaking on his Inside Arsenal YouTube channel, the reporter said: “Calafiori, those talks are still ongoing, nothing has been agreed yet… Can they get it done and over the line this week to give him a chance of being involved in the US squad? Arteta would love that. I know he would love that.
“Bologna are saying that he’s going to go back to pre-season training with them if something doesn’t get sorted pretty soon with Arsenal.”
Of course, it won’t be the end of the world if Calafiori doesn’t join Arsenal in time to take part in the US tour, but the extra time to bed in to the squad, adapt to his new teammates and Arteta’s instructions would certainly be beneficial.
Arsenal set for busy pre-season
Arsenal got back to work earlier than most this summer. Prior to the official start of pre-season, Arteta ran a training camp for several first team players in Marbella.
Next, the Gunners will set off for America, where they will play a number of friendlies. There will then be further friendlies back on home soil before the new campaign gets properly underway.
Arteta is currently working on a plan for how to reintegrate the Arsenal players who are currently enjoying an extended break due to their involvement in summer international tournaments.
Of course, at the same time as all this, the transfer market will be in full swing.
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