Riccardo Calafiori has returned to pre-season training after a move to Arsenal stalled in recent weeks. The defender had been expected to complete a transfer from Bologna following swift talks between the Gunners and Vincenzo Italiano’s new side….READ FULL ARTICLE...READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE ▶▶
Things have been held up since the end of the European Championship, though, with the club failing to agree on a deal that suits both parties.
Calafiori’s former team Basel are due a sizeable sell-on, which will land them a big sum should a deal be completed here. With Bologna keen to get as much back themselves, a stalemate has been reached.
The head coach had been keen to get business done early this summer but has instead been left frustrated so far after Benjamin Sesko also became unavailable shortly into the window.
Now he preparing to get down to business on the pitch ahead of the 2024/25 season, and it is no clearer whether or not Calafiori will form part of his playing group. The Italian international, who exited the Euros at the last 16 stage over two weeks ago, hasn’t let the chaos around his future put him off.
Posting online with a clip of work being done with what appears to be a private coach, despite this seemingly being his time off. “Pre-season mode activated! [flame and football emojis]”, he writes alongside the video.
The 22-year-old is seen passing and turning on the ball around some cones, practicing quick feet, whilst also jumping to head a ball and getting in the plyometric box jumps as well. Calafiori also shows himself setting off for a run at the end of the footage having been sharp on the turn in some basic defending and footwork drills….READ FULL ARTICLE
