Arsenal now favourites to sign Bologna star after formal bid | OneFootball

Arsenal are moving closer to signing Bologna centre-back Riccardo Calafiori, according to Gianluca Di Marzio.

They have identified Calafiori as one of their top summer targets, and Corriere dello Sport claim they have tabled an opening bid worth £40 million. Bologna want at least £42.4m.

Despite interest from Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain and Bayer Leverkusen, the Gunners have presented a more intriguing project for the player and Bologna.

Gunners on the cusp of landing Calafiori

Arsenal have had a quiet transfer window. There has been little speculation linking them with players, which suggests they are working secretly behind the scenes.

Calafiori appears to be one of their targets, and the club are moving closer to an agreement after their opening bid. They are likely to make a renewed offer to meet Bologna’s demands.

The Gunners’ main competition comes from Chelsea, but they should be confident of securing a deal, considering they are in the Champions League, which the Blues can’t offer next term.

Calafiori would be a fine signing, as he can play at centre-back and left-back.

His main strengths are his ball-playing skills and aerial presence. The Italian is also superb at tackling and ball recovery and can contribute to goals.

Arsenal could see him as a replacement for Jakub Kiwior, who has been linked with a possible return to Serie A this summer amid interest from Juventus and AC Milan.

Stats from Transfermarkt.com.