Arsenal are currently enduring a frustrating wait before their deal to sign Riccardo Calafiori can be finalised for one reason.
Arsenal are still working to get a deal for Riccardo Calafiori over the line, but one aspect of this transfer is entirely out of their hands.
Calafiori has agreed personal terms with Arsenal. It is clear that Mikel Arteta is keen to add the Italian to his ranks, and it seems that the player himself is eager to make the switch to North London.
Calafiori has even sent a message to Chelsea, informing them that the Emirates Stadium is his preferred destination, after the Blues showed some interest in his services.
Arsenal will be keen to get this deal done as quickly as possible, as Arteta would love to be able to take Calafiori on the club’s upcoming pre-season tour of the USA. However, it seems unlikely that the 22-year-old will arrive at the Emirates Stadium in time to make that trip.
The Gunners are still yet to agree a fee with Bologna, and there is also another stumbling block delaying the deal which sporting director Edu can do nothing about.
Bologna stalemate with Basel delaying Riccardo Calafiori transfer to Arsenal
According to reports in Italy, as relayed by Football Italia, Bologna are reluctant to part with Calafiori whilst Basel still hold a 50% sell-on clause for the player. That clause was agreed last summer when the player made the move from the Swiss outfit to the Serie A club.
As things stand, Basel will receive half of whatever fee the Gunners pay to sign the 5-cap Italy international. Bologna are clearly reluctant to allow this to happen, and are attempting to negotiate Basel into reducing the scale of their sell-on clause.
Arsenal can do little to speed this process along and will simply be hoping that the two clubs can come to an arrangement that allows the deal to take place. Bologna are not determined to stop Calafiori joining Arsenal this summer, but are understandably desperate to ensure that they get the most out of his departure that they can.
What would the arrival of Calafiori at Arsenal mean for Jakub Kiwior?
It is hard to see how there could be room for Jakub Kiwior in Arteta’s plans if Calafiori were to join Arsenal. After all, both are left-footed defenders with a similar profile who can operate at both left-back and centre-back.
As if to underline this point, Kiwior was offered to Bologna in a swap deal for Calafiori, but the Italian side rejected this proposal. In any case, it seems likely that the Poland international will be moved on this summer.
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