Arsenal's next transfer becomes super complicated as Roma launch legal challenge

Arsenal’s proposed move for Bologna defender Riccardo Calafiori has prompted an impending legal challenge from Roma, according to reports. The Gunners are thought to be closing in on the signing of Calafiori, who impressed for Italy at the Euros and is said to be Mikel Arteta’s top target.

Arsenal have reportedly agreed a transfer fee in the region of £33.6million, which could potentially rise to £37.8m due to add-ons. Calafiori is also believed to have settled on personal terms with the north Londoners and is expected to sign a five-year deal at the Emirates Stadium.

It seems Arsenal are on the verge of completing their move for the versatile defender, but a forthcoming legal challenge from Roma could be about to shake things up. The Italian giants are disputing the percentage of the transfer fee they will be entitled to, according to Gazzetta dello Sport.

Calafiori joined Bologna from Basel last summer, with the Swiss outfit inserting a sell-on clause of 50 per cent into the deal. It means they will be entitled to half the money paid by Arsenal to land the 22-year-old but Roma believe they should receive around £6.7m of that figure.

Roma sold Calafiori to Basel in 2022 with a clause stating they would be entitled to 40 per cent of his resale value. They went on to receive around £1.26m when Basel sold the player to Bologna for a transfer fee of £3.4m a year ago.

It is said that Roma are adamant they should be given the same percentage of the sell-on fee owed to Basel as part of Bologna’s deal with Arsenal. Lawyers from both clubs are now believed to be assessing the situation, with the matter yet to be resolved.

It remains to be seen if Roma’s dispute with Basel will hold up Arsenal’s proposed move for Calafiori, who is capable of playing at centre-back or on the left of defence. The Gunners will be hoping for the deal to be pushed through without a hitch to give Calafiori plenty of time to settle in at his new club.

Arsenal survived a flurry of late hijack attempts from Real Madrid and Juventus as well as from another Premier League club, according to Sky Sports. However, it is claimed that Calafiori only ever wanted to join the Gunners and gave his word that he would not entertain any other approaches.