Arsenal now close to signing £42.4m star from UCL club, ‘more convincing offer’ made – report | OneFootball

Arsenal are getting closer to securing an agreement for Bologna defender Riccardo Calafiori, according to Gianluca Di Marzio.

The Gunners have been locked in negotiations with Bologna for Calafiori over the past few days and they are currently working on finalising a deal worth £42.4 million.

The club have reportedly presented a ‘more convincing offer’ to Bologna for the Italian star after beating the competition from Juventus, Chelsea and Bayer Leverkusen.

His agent Alessandro Lucci is looking to close the ‘remaining distance’ between the clubs.

Arsenal edge closer to signing Calafiori from Bologna

The Gunners have identified Calafiori as their prime defensive target. They have already agreed personal terms over a five-year contract and are now in pole position to sign him.

With no direct competition at the moment, Arsenal have the room to negotiate a better payment structure. They could propose a lesser fee up front with performance add-ons.

Calafiori started off his career as a left-back before becoming a regular in the heart of the defence at Bologna. He is most likely to play on the left side of the back four for Arsenal.

Gunners manager Mikel Arteta shared the minutes between Oleksandr Zinchenko, Jakub Kiwior and Takehiro Tomiyasu in the role last term. He may want a permanent figure.

Jurrien Timber, who had a serious knee injury in his debut season, is another option at Arteta’s disposal, but Calafiori could become the mainstay following his move from Bologna.

Calafiori had a passing accuracy of 90 percent last term with 1.6 tackles, 1.7 interceptions, 2.5 clearances and 6.4 recoveries per game. He was brilliant in the air, winning 71 percent of his aerial challenges.

The Italian also registered two goals and five assists in Serie A as Bologna qualified for the Champions League after 60 years. Almost 20 percent of his appearances last season were from left-back.

It will be interesting to see how he fares with the higher intensity in the Premier League.

Stats from Transfermarkt.com & Sofascore.com