Bologna have officially dropped Riccardo Calafiori for the second part of the pre-season suggesting that the Italian defender is on the verge of joining Arsenal.
Italy international Calafiori is expected to join Arsenal this week after undergoing medical tests with the Gunners.
The Rossoblu have dropped the Italian defender for the second part of their pre-season, offering a further hint that they are close to reaching a full agreement with the Gunners and Calafiori’s ex-club Basel.
Calafiori: Arsenal transfer near as Bologna drop Italy defender
Coach Vincenzo Italiano has released his squad list for a pre-season retreat in Val Pusteria and Calafiori is not part of the team.
Calafiori, a product of Roma Academy, was expected to join his Bologna teammates today after returning from holiday.
Fabrizio Romano has reported that Arsenal already have an agreement with Bologna and expect to sign the 22-year-old for €45m, including add-ons.
Bologna, however, are in talks with Basel to lower a sell-on clause for the Swiss club that currently stands at 50%.
Calafiori agreed on personal terms with Bologna weeks ago and will earn €4m per season in London.
I don’t understand the logic of Italian teams. Bologna makes the Champion’s League and will be playing in a higher quality tournament than ever for them. They earned money from it. Then as prep for this new challenge instead of strengthening their team they release their coach and sell two of their best players, and have brought in no players to replace them. I don’t get it.