Why Riccardo Calafiori’s Arsenal deal announcement is delayed, Mikel Arteta orders Edu to pay €60m release clause for Spain midfielder – Mikel Arteta learns Nico Williams transfer deadline
Arsenal are on the verge of securing their second signing of the summer transfer window, with Bologna defender Riccardo Calafiori poised to join the Emirates Stadium. The Italian has impressed at Euro 2024, making him a valuable addition for the Gunners.
While Calafiori appears set to become Arsenal’s second acquisition of the summer following the permanent signing of David Raya from Brentford, negotiations are ongoing. According to Corriere dello Sport via Football Italia, Arsenal have not yet agreed on Bologna’s €50m asking price for the defender. Talks between the two clubs are expected to continue.
If an agreement is reached, Calafiori will sign a five-year contract in North London, reportedly earning around €4m per year. His signing would be a significant coup for Arsenal, who have been searching for a top-class centre-back to partner with William Saliba.
With his impressive defensive skills and ability to play the ball out from the back, Calafiori fits perfectly into Mikel Arteta’s system.
Bologna’s transfer chief Giovanni Sartori revealed last week that Calafiori is more likely to move to the Premier League than join Juventus, despite the player’s preference for a move to the Bianconeri. Sartori stated that Bologna would consider substantial offers for Calafiori and are willing to sell to the right club.
Initially linked with a transfer to Liverpool, it now seems that Arsenal have taken the lead and are favourites to secure his signature.
Once Arsenal meet Bologna’s asking price, it will only be a matter of time before Calafiori completes his move to the Emirates Stadium. This signing would significantly boost Arsenal’s defence and reflect Jorginho’s influence in the dressing room.
Arsenal are determined to build a team capable of challenging for the Premier League title. Securing Calafiori, one of the top young defenders in the world, would be a significant step in strengthening their defensive line and enhancing their title aspirations.
Nico Williams transfer deadline
Nico Williams is said to be the wide player Mikel Arteta would prefer to sign if the club add in that area this summer. Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool are all linked with the winger, but Barcelona are said to be the player’s preference.
It is far from a foregone conclusion that the player swaps the Basque Country for Catalunya, though. While it is true that SPORT reports Williams is ignoring interest from elsewhere, he wants his future sorted within the first week of August rather than waiting for a move and has set that soft deadline of his own.
football.london says: Arteta wanting Williams makes sense, and the club should remain ready to swoop in should Barcelona delay doing a deal. The player’s £47million release clause should be affordable this summer, and being able to offer Champions League football should position them ahead of Chelsea at least.
Having a Spanish-speaking manager who seemingly wants the winger would also give the Gunners an edge over Liverpool to be the first team to hijack any deal if Barcelona drop the ball. Not necessarily needing a winger should also allow Arsenal to position themselves to be opportunistic should such a situation arise.
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