Arsenal’s move for Riccardo Calafiori faces complication as legal challenge emerges: Reports
Arsenal's move for Riccardo Calafiori is reportedly set to face legal challenges. The Gunners are nearing the completion of this deal, according to Express, who claim that an initial £33.6 million fee has been agreed between Bologna and the English side.
Further, the player has also agreed on personal terms with the north Londoners and is set to sign a five-year contract. However, there seems to be an issue with the amount of the transfer fee Italian club AS Roma would receive as part of this deal.
Before selling the defender to Basel in the summer of 2022, a 40% resale clause was added to the deal. As a result, Roma received a reported sum of £1.26 million from the £3.4 million that Calafiori was sold for to Bologna in 2023.
Things have become more complicated because Basel inserted a 50% sell-on clause on the player's deal with Bologna. This seems to have created complications as to how much Roma would be entitled to receive from the 22-year-old's deal with Arsenal.
At the moment, Gazzetta dello Sport state that lawyers from the respective sides are trying to resolve the matter, which could hold up the player's signing. Should the deal go through, it would be huge for Mikel Arteta and Co., given Calafiori can play at centre-back and left-back.
It is believed that the Gunners managed to see off threats from Real Madrid and Juventus en route to potentially signing the player.
Leonardo Bonucci lavishes praise on Arsenal target Riccardo Calafiori
Former Italy defender Leonardo Bonucci is unhappy with reports of Riccardo Calafiori's rumored move to Arsenal this summer. He wishes to see the youngster play for Juventus instead.
However, the 37-year-old believes that Calafiori could become a mainstay in the national team for the next 15 years. Speaking to SkySports Italia, Bonucci said (via Metro):
"I'm sorry about this transfer. I would like to see him at Juventus. He's a defender who's a little different to what we're used to seeing. He plays, has personality and fits in."
"We're exporting a great player who will be the point of reference for the national team for the next 15 years."
So far, Calafiori has appeared 43 times in Serie A, bagging two goals and seven assists. He also has five caps for Italy, including three at the recently concluded Euros.