Arsenal have successfully completed the signing of Riccardo Calafiori from Bologna for a reported fee of €53 million, according to Gazzetta dello Sport. The 22-year-old Italian defender is set to join the Premier League club, with the Gunners beating out competition from Juventus and Chelsea for his signature.
Gazzetta report how Bologna stands to make a significant profit from the transfer, as they will retain 50% of the fee while sending the other half to FC Basel, Calafiori’s former club. This represents a substantial return on their initial €4 million investment from last year, netting Bologna approximately €22 million in profit.
Calafiori has reportedly chosen Arsenal over Chelsea, opting for the North London club where he will work under manager Mikel Arteta. The young defender is expected to sign a contract worth around €4 million per year.
The transfer fee for Calafiori increased significantly following his impressive performances at Euro 2024, where he featured prominently for Italy. This price hike effectively ruled out Juventus, who had been courting the player for weeks, especially with the arrival of Thiago Motta as their new manager. Motta had played a crucial role in Calafiori’s development at Bologna.
This move represents a significant investment for Arsenal, adding to their substantial spending on defenders under Arteta’s tenure. The club has now spent over £208 million on defensive reinforcements since Arteta’s arriva.
Calafiori’s transfer to Arsenal has been met with mixed reactions. While it strengthens the Gunners’ squad, some view it as a potential setback for Serie A. Former Bologna executive Walter Sabatini described the move as “a disaster” for Italian football, expressing concern about the league’s ability to retain young talent.
