Arsenal remain well in the hunt to bring in Bologna defender Riccardo Calafiori this summer as their first signing.
The Gunners have made a slow start to this summer’s transfer window as they look to close the gap on Manchester City at the top of the table.
Mikel Arteta‘s side came mightily close last season to finally getting their hands on another Premier League title with just two points separating the two clubs.
But Arsenal appear to be eyeing defensive reinforcement in the early stages of this summer market with one of Euro 2024’s brightest prospects.
The north London side have now reportedly lodged a £40m bid for the 22-year-old and have seen the Serie A outfit return with their decision.
Arsenal receive Bologna decision on Riccardo Calafiori bid
Arsenal’s defence was their strong point last season having formed one of Europe’s top centre-back partnerships with William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes.
But squad depth could prove key for the Gunners going into the new campaign as they will also be eyeing to go further than the quarter finals this time around in the Champions League.
Ultimately, Arsenal ended the 2023/24 campaign without any silverware, so having a squad filled with quality options to rotate could go a long way for the new season.
According to TuttoJuve, Arsenal have now put forward their opening offer to Bologna believed to be worth in the region of £40m (€47m).
However, the answer from Italy is not what Arsenal fans will want to hear with Bologna rejecting their approach.
However, that is not to say the Italian outfit are not open to selling Calafiori this summer as they’re believed to be holding out in excess of €50m (£42m).
What Bologna’s CEO has said about selling Riccardo Calafiori this summer
This summer’s European Championship has put a real spotlight on the Italy international with Chelsea and Juventus also credited in the report as interested clubs.
A move within Serie A may not be something which is now likely with it also being claimed the fee required to prise Calafiori away surpassing what Juventus could offer.
“We will try to keep him but if important offers arrive we will have to take them into consideration. I don’t think he will go to Juventus, he will probably go to a different market,” Bologna’s technical director Giovanni Sartori told the media.