Arsenal and Chelsea transfer target makes his preference clear | OneFootball

Bologna defender Riccardo Calafiori wants to join Arsenal despite strong interest from Chelsea, according to a report.

LEIPZIG, GERMANY: Riccardo Calafiori of Italy celebrates after Mattia Zaccagni of Italy (not pictured) scores his team’s first goal during the UEFA EURO 2024 group stage match between Croatia and Italy at Football Stadium Leipzig on June 24, 2024. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images for FIGC)

Riccardo Calafiori appears to be edging closer to a move to Arsenal, but Fabrizio Romano reports that there has been strong interest in the Bologna defender from Chelsea.

Romano clarifies that Chelsea never made an official offer for the player, but they were clearly in the mix to begin with.

Unfortunately for the Blues, Calafiori has been clear that he wants to join Arsenal instead. He’s agreed personal terms with a salary of around €4m net per year, with a five-year contract.

BOLOGNA, ITALY: Riccardo Calafiori of Bologna FC celebrates after the Serie A TIM match between Bologna FC and US Sassuolo at Stadio Renato Dall’Ara on February 03, 2024. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

The deal isn’t done yet, with Bologna and Arsenal still negotiating the transfer fee. But Calafiori is keen on linking up with Mikel Arteta, and Chelsea having seemingly decided to invest their funds elsewhere.

With Calafiori preferring Arsenal, Chelsea have moved to sign Renato Veiga from FC Basel.

Previous reports had suggested that Bologna are holding out for a fee of €50m (£42.4m).

Basel have a sell-on clause worth 50% of the sale over €4.5m, and they’re being kept up to date on negotiations. If Bologna get the €50m they want, Basel would receive half of the €45.5m profit.

BOLOGNA, ITALY: Riccardo Calafiori of Bologna FC in action during the Serie A TIM match between Bologna FC and US Salernitana at Stadio Renato Dall’Ara on April 01, 2024. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

Arsenal do have an existing relationship with Bologna, as the Serie A club sold them Takehiro Tomiyasu not too long ago.

Left-footed defender Calafiori made 37 appearances for Bologna in 2023/24. He played every minute of the Euro 2024 group stage for Italy, but his two yellow cards left him suspended for their last-16 defeat to Switzerland.

As well as centre-back, the 22-year-old can also play at left-back.