• AS Roma will receive €6 million from Riccardo Calafiori’s transfer to Arsenal
• The payment settles a two-year dispute with FC Basel over a sell-on clause
• Roma must raise €50-60 million by June to meet Financial Fair Play rules
• The Italian club sold Calafiori to Basel in 2022 with a 40% future profit clause
• Roma may still need to sell key players like Evan Ndicka or Manu Koné

Italian club AS Roma are close to securing a €6 million windfall from Riccardo Calafiori’s recent move to Arsenal. The money comes from a settlement with Swiss side FC Basel over a complicated sell-on agreement that dates back to 2022.

Calafiori was born in Rome and learned his trade in the AS Roma youth academy. The defender found first-team chances limited under former manager José Mourinho. In the summer of 2022, sporting director Tiago Pinto sold the young Italian to Basel for just €2.5 million. However, the deal included an important clause. Roma kept a 40% stake in any future profit that Basel would make from the player.

The centre-back spent only one season in Switzerland before Bologna signed him for €4 million. That transfer earned Roma an extra €1.6 million. But problems started when Calafiori moved again. Last summer, Arsenal paid roughly €45 million plus bonuses to sign the Italy international.

Basel held a 50% sell-on clause with Bologna. This meant they received about €22.5 million from the Arsenal deal. Roma argued they deserved 40% of that Basel profit too. The Giallorossi claimed their original contract covered all future sales, not just the next one. They calculated they were owed about €9 million in total.

Now, after lengthy talks, the two clubs have reached a deal. Roma will accept €6 million to end the fight. This cash arrives at a critical time. The Serie A side must generate between €50 million and €60 million before the end of June. This deadline comes from a Financial Fair Play settlement they made with UEFA.

Roma have already raised money from other sales. They banked €2 million when Saud Abdulhamid joined Lens on a permanent deal. They also earned €3 million from Buba Sangaré’s transfer to Elche. Despite this income, the club might still need to sell important first-team stars. Reports suggest that defender Evan Ndicka or midfielder Manu Koné could leave to help balance the books.

• Real Madrid president confirms plans to sign at least one more top defender this summer
• Arsenal’s Italian defender Riccardo Calafiori identified as a key target for the Spanish club
• Bernabeu side have already completed deals for Ibrahima Konaté and Denzel Dumfries
• Gunners face difficult battle to retain player viewed as essential to their title challenge

Florentino Perez has declared that Real Madrid will not stop signing players this summer. The club’s president has promised supporters that more high-profile names will arrive at the Bernabeu before the transfer window closes.

In an interview with AS, Perez explained that the Spanish giants want to strengthen their defence further. “I will bring more players. Everyone knows that great footballers want to wear the white shirt. I will make this happen. Another top defender will join us this summer,” he stated.

Italian international Riccardo Calafiori has now become a major target for the club. The Arsenal defender has impressed Madrid’s scouts with his strong performances in English football.

The 22-year-old joined the North London club from Bologna in 2024. Since his arrival, he has developed into a key member of Mikel Arteta’s backline. His work on the left side of defence has marked him as one of the most exciting young players in the Premier League.

Losing Calafiori would create serious problems for Arsenal’s title hopes. The club sees him as a vital part of their plan to win the league championship.

Perez seems determined to completely rebuild Madrid’s defensive unit. The exits of David Alaba, Dani Carvajal and Antonio Rudiger have left large gaps in Carlo Ancelotti’s squad. While the signings of Konaté and Dumfries have helped, the president wants to add even more quality.

Signing Calafiori would show that Madrid mean business in the transfer market. However, persuading Arsenal to part with a player they consider irreplaceable will prove extremely difficult.

• Jose Mourinho identifies Riccardo Calafiori as a priority defensive target for Real Madrid
• The Italy international’s ability to play at centre-back and left-back attracts the Portuguese coach
• Mourinho’s return to the Bernabeu hinges on Florentino Perez winning the presidential election this weekend
• Arsenal invested €44 million plus add-ons to sign the defender from Bologna in 2024
• Calafiori lifted the Premier League trophy but remained on the bench during the Champions League final loss to Paris Saint-Germain

Jose Mourinho has reportedly instructed Real Madrid to pursue Arsenal defender Riccardo Calafiori. The Portuguese tactician views the Italian as a key addition to strengthen the squad ahead of next season.

The proposed move depends on Florentino Perez securing victory in this weekend’s presidential elections at the Spanish club. Mourinho has agreed to take charge if Perez wins another term.

Sources indicate that Calafiori features prominently on Mourinho’s wish list. This follows Real Madrid’s successful capture of Inter Milan full-back Denzel Dumfries. The club activated the Dutchman’s €20 million release clause and agreed personal terms.

Mourinho values Calafiori’s versatility highly. The 22-year-old performs effectively both as a central defender and at left-back. This flexibility offers the manager tactical options across the back line.

Calafiori completed his first season with Arsenal after the Gunners paid Bologna €44 million last summer. Additional bonuses could raise the total fee to €49 million. Fitness issues limited his playing time, but he still made 36 appearances in all competitions. He scored one goal and provided three assists during the campaign.

The defender enjoyed domestic success by winning the Premier League title. However, he faced frustration in European competition. Manager Mikel Arteta left him on the substitutes’ bench throughout the Champions League final defeat against Paris Saint-Germain.

Now Mourinho hopes to lure the former Bologna star to La Liga. Any potential transfer would require complex negotiations with Arsenal following their league triumph.

• Italy defender Riccardo Calafiori grabs microphone to lead Arsenal supporters in songs during trophy parade
• Gunners mark first Premier League triumph in over two decades with open-top bus tour of North London
• Club technically remained unbeaten throughout Champions League campaign despite final defeat on penalties

Riccardo Calafiori took centre stage as Arsenal celebrated their Premier League success with a victory parade through the streets of North London. The Italy international stood on top of the open-top bus and led thousands of fans in chants, displaying the vocal passion that has made him a favourite among supporters.

The defender assumed the role known in Italy as the ‘capo ultra’, a position he learned while standing in the Curva Sud at Roma’s Stadio Olimpico during his youth. He brought that same energy to the parade, grabbing the microphone and starting songs that echoed through the crowds lining the streets.

Arsenal secured their first domestic league crown in 22 years this season, giving fans plenty to celebrate despite the recent disappointment. Just 24 hours earlier, the Gunners had suffered heartbreak in Budapest after losing to Paris Saint-Germain in a penalty shoot-out during the Champions League Final.

Mikel Arteta’s side remained technically unbeaten throughout their European campaign, having drawn 1-1 with PSG before falling in the spot-kick lottery. Calafiori watched the final from the bench, but he played a crucial part in the journey there, making 36 appearances across all competitions while scoring one goal and providing three assists.

The 23-year-old later shared a selfie with the cheering crowds on his Instagram Stories, capturing the special atmosphere as the club celebrated its first title party in a generation. The images showed the strong bond between the players and the Arsenal faithful during a memorable day in North London.

• Paris Saint-Germain successfully defend their Champions League title with 4-3 penalty shoot-out triumph
• Italian defender Riccardo Calafiori remains on the bench for the entire final
• Gabriel Jesus misses the decisive spot-kick as Arsenal’s unbeaten European run ends in defeat
• Kai Havertz fires Gunners ahead early before Ousmane Dembele levels from the penalty spot

Arsenal’s quest for a first Champions League trophy ended in bitter disappointment at the Puskás Aréna as Paris Saint-Germain lifted the famous big-eared trophy for the second consecutive season. The North London side, who had marched through the competition without suffering a single defeat and recently ended a 22-year wait for the Premier League title, were forced into a penalty shoot-out following a gripping 1-1 stalemate in Budapest.

Luis Enrique opted for the same outfield eleven that demolished Inter Milan 5-0 in last season’s final, trusting familiar faces including Achraf Hakimi, Marquinhos, Fabian Ruiz and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta, meanwhile, made the significant call to leave Italy international Riccardo Calafiori among the substitutes for the full 120 minutes.

The Gunners started brightly and took the lead after just five minutes. Leandro Trossard pressed high and blocked a clearance from centre-back Marquinhos in the middle of the pitch. The ball fell kindly for Kai Havertz, who burst down the left wing and drilled a powerful strike past goalkeeper Matvei Safonov into the roof of the net from an acute angle.

Paris Saint-Germain dominated possession but found clear chances hard to come by until the second half. Their equaliser arrived from the penalty spot when Kvaratskhelia was brought down inside the area by Cristhian Mosquera. Ousmane Dembele calmly converted the kick, though the Arsenal defender avoided a second booking for the challenge. Safonov also bravely denied Trossard from close range earlier in the match, receiving a blow to the head in the process.

The French champions nearly snatched victory in normal time. Kvaratskhelia embarked on a blistering counter-attack from deep inside his own half and unleashed a drive that struck the upright after a slight deflection off Myles Lewis-Skelly on 78 minutes. Earlier efforts from Vitinha and Bradley Barcola also clipped the woodwork, while Arsenal’s Piero Hincapié suffered a muscular injury during extra time but had to continue limping as Arteta had used all his substitutions. Dembele also limped off injured before the additional period concluded.

The contest moved to penalties to decide the destination of the trophy. Eberechi Eze dragged Arsenal’s second attempt wide after a hesitant run-up, but David Raya immediately kept his side in the contest with a fine save to deny Nuno Mendes. However, Gabriel Jesus blazed the final penalty high over the crossbar and into the stands, sending the Paris Saint-Germain supporters into raptures and sealing a devastating defeat for the Gunners.

The successful spot-kicks came from Goncalo Ramos, Viktor Gyokeres, Désiré Doué, Declan Rice, Achraf Hakimi, Gabriel Martinelli and Lucas Beraldo before Jesus’s costly miss.

• Riccardo Calafiori starts among the Arsenal substitutes for the European final in Hungary
• Paris Saint-Germain retain ten starters from their previous victory over Inter Milan
• Kick-off set for 5:00 PM British Summer Time at the Puskás Aréna in Budapest
• Gianluigi Donnarumma completes transfer to Manchester City, with Matvei Safonov replacing him
• Arsenal boast the only unbeaten record in this season’s Champions League tournament

Italian defender Riccardo Calafiori will begin the Champions League Final on the substitutes’ bench. Arsenal have left the Azzurri centre-back out of their starting eleven against Paris Saint-Germain.

The two sides meet at the Puskás Aréna in Budapest. Kick-off is scheduled for 17:00 British Summer Time.

Calafiori provides the sole Italian representation in the squad. However, he must watch the opening stages from the dugout. David Raya guards the goal for the North London club. The Spaniard has helped Arsenal remain undefeated throughout this season’s Champions League campaign.

Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka and Kai Havertz spearhead the Gunners’ offensive efforts.

Meanwhile, Luis Enrique has shown faith in his previous champions. The PSG head coach has selected ten outfield players who began last year’s final triumph against Inter Milan. Matvei Safonov replaces Gianluigi Donnarumma between the posts. Donnarumma completed a summer transfer to Manchester City.

That victory over Inter marked the final occasion this particular group of ten outfield stars featured together from the start. The French champions’ attack includes former Napoli favourites Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Fabián Ruiz. Achraf Hakimi, once of Inter, starts at full-back alongside ex-Roma captain Marquinhos.

Starting XIs

PSG: Safonov; Nuno Mendes, Pacho, Marquinhos, Hakimi; João Neves, Vitinha, Fabián Ruiz; Doué, Dembélé, Kvaratskhelia

Arsenal: Raya; Mosquera, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapié; Rice, Lewis-Skelly; Saka, Ødegaard, Trossard; Havertz

Substitutes

PSG: Arrizabalaga, Jesus, Eze, Martinelli, J Timber, Gyokeres, Norgaard, Madueke, Calafiori, Zubimendi, Dowman

Arsenal: Chevalier, Marin, Lucas Beraldo, Zabarnyi, Goncalo Ramos, Kang-in Lee, Lucas Hernandez, Mayulu, Dro Fernandez, Barcola, Zaire-Emery, Mbaye

• Italy international refuses to watch 2026 World Cup following national team elimination
• Arsenal defender eyes Champions League clash against former club AS Roma in September
• Gunners chase European glory after securing first English title in 22 years
• Former Giallorossi academy graduate hints at possible Serie A return despite London happiness

Riccardo Calafiori has announced he will skip watching the upcoming World Cup finals after Italy failed to book their place at the tournament. The Arsenal centre-back admitted the qualification failure still hurts, but his full attention now sits on winning the Champions League with the North London side.

Speaking to Italian publications Tuttosport and Cronache Di Spogliatoio just days before the Gunners face Paris Saint-Germain in the European final, the 24-year-old sent a clear message to his childhood club. “See you at the Olimpico in September,” he said, pointing towards a potential group stage meeting between the two teams.

Calafiori has already lifted silverware this season, helping Arsenal secure their first domestic championship in over two decades. “The Premier League was a dream I held since I was young,” he explained. “When the final whistle went, we all exploded with joy on the pitch.”

The defender has collected 14 caps for the Azzurri since debuting under Luciano Spalletti in 2024. He revealed that Gennaro Gattuso was the first person he called the morning after securing the English crown, though he expressed mixed feelings about the former Milan star now managing Lazio.

Despite his current contentment at the Emirates Stadium, the Bologna academy product suggested he could move back to Italian football eventually. “I needed to leave my comfort zone, but nowhere compares to Italy,” he stated. “I have unfinished business there, particularly with Roma.”

Calafiori praised the Stadio Olimpico outfit for qualifying for Europe’s top competition after several years away. He remains focused on the immediate task of defeating PSG, aiming to crown his debut campaign in England with the club’s first Champions League trophy.

• Arsenal win their first Premier League title in 22 years
• Riccardo Calafiori claims winner’s medal after 26 league appearances
• Gunners seal championship with 2-1 victory at Crystal Palace
• Defender also celebrates former club Roma’s Champions League qualification
• Giallorossi finish third under new manager Gian Piero Gasperini

Italian defender Riccardo Calafiori enjoyed a day of double celebrations on Sunday. The 24-year-old lifted the Premier League trophy with Arsenal before cheering on his former team AS Roma.

The north London club secured their first league championship in 22 years. They beat Crystal Palace 2-1 away from home to confirm their place at the top of the table.

Calafiori played his part in this successful campaign. He scored one goal and provided two assists across 26 matches in the competition.

Hours after the trophy presentation, the Italy international turned his attention to events in Italy. He shared Roma’s social media post about their win against Verona. The defender added the comment “Daje,” which means “Come on” in the Roman dialect.

Roma defeated Verona 2-0 to finish third in the Serie A table. This result means they will compete in the Champions League next season. It marks their return to Europe’s top club competition after missing it since the 2018-19 campaign.

The 2025-26 season was the first for the Rome club under manager Gian Piero Gasperini. Calafiori, who previously wore the Giallorossi shirt, clearly still holds affection for his old side.

• Arsenal secured the 2025-26 Premier League title with one match remaining
• The Gunners won the crown after Manchester City drew 1-1 with Bournemouth
• Riccardo Calafiori celebrated the triumph on his birthday
• The Italian defender contributed one goal and two assists in 25 league matches

Arsenal defender Riccardo Calafiori has described the club’s first Premier League championship in 22 years as the perfect birthday present. The Italy international turned another year older on the same evening the Gunners secured the 2025-26 trophy.

Mikel Arteta’s side clinched the title with one game left to play. Manchester City’s 1-1 draw against Bournemouth on Tuesday night confirmed Arsenal as champions of England.

The Arsenal squad gathered at their training facility to watch the crucial clash. They erupted in celebration when the final whistle guaranteed their historic achievement.

Calafiori played a key role during the campaign. The former Bologna and Roma centre-back found the net once and provided two assists across 25 Premier League appearances this term.

The 22-year-old shared his joy on Instagram. “Best birthday ever,” he wrote, posting pictures of the team’s celebrations.

He also uploaded a throwback image on Instagram Stories. The childhood picture showed him holding a trophy from his first club, Petriana Calcio. He captioned it: “Champion of England.”

• Riccardo Calafiori starts for Arsenal against Burnley on Monday night
• The Italy defender overcame fitness doubts to make the XI
• Arsenal aim to close gap in Premier League title race
• Burnley have already been relegated from the top flight
• Calafiori has featured 34 times this season despite injury problems

Italy international Riccardo Calafiori has earned a place in Arsenal’s starting line-up for Monday’s Premier League match against Burnley. Manager Mikel Arteta selected the defender despite recent worries over his physical condition.

The North London club are fighting for their first league championship in twenty years. They face a Burnley side that has already dropped down to the Championship next season.

Calafiori left the pitch at half-time during the recent 1-0 victory over West Ham. This raised fears about another injury problem for the 22-year-old.

Injuries have limited the former Bologna star throughout this campaign. He has still managed to play 34 matches across all competitions. Arteta has often used other players such as Hincapie and Lewis-Skelly at left-back when Calafiori was unavailable.

However, medical staff gave the green light for the defender to play at Turf Moor. Arteta chose a powerful team for this important fixture.

Burnley will start with the following players: Weiss, Walker, Esteve, Tuanzebe, Pires, Luis, Ugochukwu, Tchaouna, Mejbri, Anthony, and Flemming.