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Topics: Arsenal, Mikel Arteta, Premier League, Transfers, Football
Ryan Smart
Topics: Arsenal, Mikel Arteta, Premier League, Transfers, Football
Arsenal's transfer attempt to sign Riccardo Calafiori from Bologna have hit a major stumbling block, according to a new report.
The Gunners have been pursuing the signing of the Italy international for most of the summer window amid his starring role at Euro 2024.
The former Roma left-back, who left the club in 2022 to join Basel, was converted into a wide centre-back under Thiago Motta at Bologna.
According to reports, Arsenal have offered £37 million to sign the 22-year-old, which would represent a significant profit on the £3.4 million that Bologna paid for him last summer.
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However, the Serie A club, who have qualified for the Champions League for the upcoming season, are believed to want up to £46 million to allow one of their prized assets to leave.
The Times claim that another issue that is complicating the deal relates to Arsenal defender Jakub Kiwior, who Bologna want to sign as Calafiori's replacement.
It is added that Arsenal would be happy to allow the Poland international to leave as part of the deal - but that Kiwior himself isn't particularly keen.
Kiwior wants to wait for an offer from a bigger Italian club - such as AC Milan, whose interest in the 24-year-old dates back to January.
Napoli and Inter Milan are also believed to be interested in signing the defender, who signed for Arsenal from Spezia in January 2023.
Kiwior struggled for game time during his first 12 months at the Emirates Stadium, but became a regular fixture in the team at left-back during the second half of last season.
Speaking to Sky Sports last September, Kiwior said: "I wanted to play minutes as soon as possible, but I was told that I needed to be calm, that I needed time to settle in.
"Those two months were important for me. It was a big change. I just tried to be focused in the training sessions and to get settled. The minutes eventually came, so it was a very valuable time."