S Poddar
Arsenal’s efforts to secure Bologna defender Riccardo Calafiori have hit another snag due to a legal challenge from Roma.
The Gunners, eager to add the talented Italian defender to their squad after his standout Euro 2024 performances, had already agreed on a fee with Bologna. The proposed deal, worth £42.1 million, now faces delays before it can be finalized.
The delay stems from financial entanglements with Calafiori’s former clubs. Basel, where Calafiori previously played, is set to receive 50% of any profit from his sale. Discussions between Bologna and Basel are ongoing, but an unexpected complication has arisen from Roma, another of his former employers.
According to Gazzetta dello Sport, Roma had included a 50% sell-on clause when Calafiori moved to Basel. This clause entitled them to a portion of any future transfer fee. Roma received £1.2 million when Basel sold Calafiori to Bologna but now claim they are owed around £6.7 million from the upcoming transfer to Arsenal. Basel, on the other hand, believes the initial clause was satisfied with the earlier sell-on fee.
This dispute has led both clubs to hire lawyers to resolve the matter, causing further frustration for Arsenal. Calafiori, who began his career with Roma and made 18 appearances for the club, moved to Basel for a season before returning to Serie A with Bologna. Reflecting on his time in Switzerland, Calafiori mentioned that his move to Basel wasn’t his first choice, but it ultimately helped him find the consistency he needed, allowing him to play thirty games in one season.
The legal wrangling between Roma and Basel adds an unexpected hurdle to Arsenal’s plans, leaving fans eagerly waiting for a resolution.
