Arsenal can use 24yo as trump card to agree deal for £42m star – report
Arsenal have had a quiet summer transfer window but they could confirm their first signing in the next few days.
The Gunners have already agreed personal terms with Riccardo Calafiori and talks are now underway with Bologna to finalise the payment terms for the transfer.
There is an initial agreement over a £42 million fee, but the clubs continue to negotiate over the payment structure which may include performance add-ons.
Amidst this, TuttoBolognaWeb claim that the Gunners have a potential trump card in the form of Jakub Kiwior, who could succeed Calafiori at the Serie A club.
Bologna are interested in signing the Pole in a separate deal. They are likely to propose a season-long loan with an option to buy during the summer of 2025.
Juventus are also admirers of the 24-year-old, but Mikel Arteta’s side could utilise him to their advantage to get the Calafiori deal over the line with Bologna.
Arsenal need to speed up transfer activity
The Gunners were pro-active in the transfer market last summer. They signed Jurrien Timber, Kai Havertz and Declan Rice before the pre-season tour of the United States.
Arsenal are set to embark on the same trip in 10 days’ time, but they are yet to make any signing. Calafiori has been tipped to join, but the club have not agreed payment terms.
In our view, they must speed up their transfer activity in the near future. Bologna are unlikely to provide a discount on Calafiori, considering 40 percent of the profit will go to Basel.
However, the Gunners could do immediate business with them by negotiating a deal for Kiwior. A good loan fee with a buy clause could smoothen the negotiations for Calafiori.
Aside from a versatile defender, Arsenal have been tipped to sign a new midfielder, striker and a goalkeeper. The club recently made a move for Wolverhampton Wanderers goalkeeper Dan Bentley, but they are yet to convince the Midlands outfit into selling him.