Expert on football transfers Fabrizio Romano wrote on his personal page in the afternoon of July 20 that Arsenal and Bologna had agreed to terms on Calafiori. The “Gunners” will pay the Serie A team 40 million euros plus 5 million euros in extra fees. The “Gunners” will also get a cut of any future sales of the Italian international player.

Now, all that needs to happen is for Bologna and Calafiori’s old team, Basel, to come to an understanding. The Swiss team had the right to half of the rule that let Bologna buy Calafiori last August.

Calafiori is on his way to Arsenal

Calafiori, for his part, is believed to have agreed personal terms with Arsenal, including a five-year contract. The Gunners are hopeful that the 22-year-old’s transfer can be completed before they fly to the United States this weekend for their pre-season tour.

Arteta sees Calafiori as a key addition to his squad. Known as the “new Nesta”, the player can play at centre-back or left-back. The next few days will be crucial as the final details are sorted out before the Italy international flies to London for a medical.

Romano told Playback.tv: “A number of clubs tried to steal the Arsenal player, but Calafiori told Bologna that he wanted to fulfil his dream of playing for Arsenal. Calafiori, after returning from his summer vacation, directly expressed his desire to the Bologna board, saying: ‘Please let me fulfil my dream and let me come to Arsenal. I want to come to Arsenal’.”

If all goes well, Calafiori will become Mikel Arteta’s second signing of the summer transfer window , after Arsenal activated a clause to buy goalkeeper David Raya from Brentford.

Calafiori was a mainstay for Bologna in 2023/24, making 30 Serie A appearances and helping the club qualify for the Champions League for the first time in 59 years. He continued to impress at EURO 2024, a rare bright spot in an otherwise disappointing Italian campaign.