Arsenal believe their defender Riccardo Calafiori is worth £86 million, which could hamper his chances of joining Real Madrid in the summer. The Gunners are not interested in selling the versatile Italian, but a pursuit by a team like Real Madrid could influence decisions. However, fresh reports indicate the said price tag could potentially suspend the Spanish giants' efforts to get him this summer.
Former Bologna star Calafiori's current deal with the Premier League champions runs to June 2029, meaning Arsenal have nothing to worry about at the negotiations table. The left-footed player, who can play as a left-back as well as a centre-back, has made 65 appearances for the Gunners across competitions. He has four goals and five assists to his credit.
Signing Marc Cucurella from Chelsea for £52 million means Real Madrid have only £80 million to spend on Manchester City's Ruben Dias, who is said to be another defender they are interested in. Since Dias is a priority over Calafiori, it is unlikely that they will spend another £86 million to reinforce the defensive department. Denzel Dumfries and Ibrahima Konaté, both defenders, also cost them money, although the latter arrived on a free transfer.
Real have already committed substantial resources to strengthening Mourinho’s squad this summer. A £52 million move for Marc Cucurella has consumed a significant portion of their budget, while a reported £78 million offer for Manchester City’s Ruben Dias remains under consideration. There was no information on how much money Real Madrid are willing to pay for the Italian.
In addition, Ibrahima Konaté’s arrival on a free transfer from Liverpool, despite having no transfer fee, represents a sizeable financial commitment in wages and signing-related costs. A budget exceeding £130 million on defenders alone sounds illogical even for Real Madrid.
Argentine midfielders Enzo Fernández and Nico Paz are also linked to Mourinho's team alongside Portuguese duo Mateus Fernandes and Vitinha. Apart from Paz, all the other three remain just rumours as things stand.
