July 21st 2024.
After much speculation, it seems that young Italian defender Riccardo Calafiori is on the verge of joining Arsenal. According to Italy's own football legend, Leonardo Bonucci, this is a major signing for the Gunners as they have secured a player who will become a key figure for the national team for the next 15 years.
After much consideration, Arsenal have identified the 22-year-old as their top defensive target this summer and are now in the final stages of securing his services. Negotiations between Bologna and Calafiori's former club, FC Basel, have been ongoing, with a sell-on clause causing a delay. However, it is believed that a deal worth €50 million is close to being finalized and Calafiori will soon be making his way to north London.
Last season, Calafiori played a crucial role in helping Bologna qualify for the Champions League and also caught the eye of many during his time representing Italy at Euro 2024. Unfortunately, his suspension forced him to miss their round of 16 match against Switzerland, which ultimately led to their exit from the tournament. His impressive performances did not go unnoticed, with Juventus also expressing interest in keeping the young talent in Italy. Bonucci, who is a club legend for Juventus, expressed his regret at not being able to secure Calafiori's signature and believes that he has the potential to be a star player for both club and country for years to come.
The Gunners faced competition from Chelsea for Calafiori, but they were able to come to an agreement on personal terms earlier this month. However, the transfer has hit a snag due to Basel's demands for 50% of the transfer fee. Bologna is not happy with these terms as Calafiori only spent one year with Basel and did not receive his first senior call-up for Italy until this year.
In a strange turn of events, Calafiori's ex-girlfriend appeared to confirm his move to Arsenal on social media over the weekend. It seems that the deal is all but done and the young defender will soon be on his way to London to begin the next chapter of his career. Stay tuned for more updates on this exciting transfer and all things Arsenal!
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