Arsenal facing Riccardo Calafiori transfer problem as legal challenge initiated

Arsenal's pursuit of Riccardo Calafiori has hit another snag as Roma has initiated a legal challenge. The Gunners are keen to secure the Italian defender, who shone in Euro 2024, as their third summer signing from Bologna.

A fee of $54.4 million (£42.1m) is reportedly on the table for Calafiori, but the deal is being held up. Basel, Calafiori's former club, is due to receive 50% of any profit from his sale. Negotiations between Basel and Bologna are ongoing, and it seems another of Calafiori's previous clubs has thrown a spanner in the works.

As per Gazzetta dello Sport , Roma had a 50% sell-on clause when they sold Calafiori to Basel. They received $1.55m (£1.2m) in a sell-on fee when he moved to Bologna.

However, Roma believes they are entitled to more, given Basel's potential profit from his proposed move to Arsenal. They estimate they should receive around $8.66m (£6.7m) if the transfer goes ahead.

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Basel, however, believes their original clause was fulfilled with the initial sell-on. This dispute has led to both Roma and Basel hiring lawyers to resolve the issue, causing further frustration for Arsenal.

Calafiori, 22, began his career at Roma, where he made 18 appearances before transferring to Basel. He has reflected on his past move to Basel, saying previously: "Basel wasn't really my choice. I was almost forced because it was the only team left and I was forced to go there.

"But from the first day I changed my mind, there I found that continuity that I always lacked and played thirty games in a season. I'm not pointing fingers at anyone."

The Italian defender also recounted his brief stint under Jose Mourinho at Roma. He said: "At the beginning I even played a little with Mourinho, then I went to Genoa and it went badly from there. Eventually the possibility of Basel arose and I went there".

Discussing his resilience following a severe knee injury, he said: "Six years have passed since the ACL injury, but my reaction has always been to get says: 'I never thought I would stop. I have a wonderful relationship with my former teammates, I grew up at Roma and I had a very good time.'".

As Arsenal eyes their summer reinforcements, securing Calafiori's signature would mark him as their third acquisition for the Gunners, following the footsteps of new goalkeeping duo David Raya and Tommy Setford arriving from Brentford and Ajax.

Liverpool.com says: Liverpool was at one stage linked with Calafiori. The move never materialized, but it seems the club may have inadvertently avoided getting caught in a messy transfer situation. While it is likely it will eventually be resolved, it is not what Arsenal would want as it looks to get its new signing in pre-season training as early as possible to prepare for the Premier League.