Arsenal have opened talks with Bologna over the signing of 22-year-old defender Riccardo Calafiori and the Gunners want to move quickly to conclude a deal as a number of other clubs including Chelsea have also shown an interest in the Italian

Arsenal are advancing in negotiations with Bologna as they seek to tie up the signing of Italy international defender Riccardo Calafiori.

The Gunners have ramped up talks for the highly-coveted 22-year-old after the Azzurri were dumped out of Euro 2024 last Saturday following a 2-0 defeat to Switzerland in Berlin.

Italian sources suggest Arsenal have already seen an opening verbal proposal rebuffed by Bologna but the two clubs are now thought to be close to striking a deal.

Thiago Motta, who recently fired Bologna into the Champions League before leaving to take charge of Juventus last month, had been keen on a reunion with Calafiori in Turin.

But until a deal is closed between all parties, nothing is certain, particularly given a host of other clubs including Chelsea, Bayer Leverkusen and Paris Saint-Germain have also shown interest in the player, who has been away on holiday this week.

Calafiori's former club FC Basel are also due a significant cut - potentially up to 50 per cent - of any transfer fee due to a complex sell-on clause. Additionally, if Arsenal were to strike an agreement, there would be further question marks surrounding the future of Jakub Kiwior amid concrete interest from Serie A.

Juventus are among the Poland international's suitors and Motta knows the player well having previously worked with Kiwior at Spezia. AC Milan, Napoli and Roma also admire the 24-year-old.

Bologna are looking for around PS45m to sell Arsenal target Riccardo Calafiori ( Image:

Speaking to Radio Sportiva, former Bologna sporting director Walter Sabatini recently outlined his fury at the prospect of Calafiori being sold to the Premier League.

He said: "It's a disaster when strong, young players like him leave our league. EUR45 million as a valuation is a huge sum but the defenders are paid even more. I think it's the minimum for someone like him: left-footed, physically imposing, authoritative and with personality in the game.

"Let's remember what he did in the 96th minute against Croatia: he came out with the ball at his feet, ran forty meters, took on the defence and passed the ball. These are plays you only do if you have quality and courage and the courage to take risks and to execute the action is something only great players can do."