Arsenal have been trying to sign Bologna defender Riccardo Calafiori in the ongoing summer transfer window.
They recently had a £40 million bid rejected for the 22-year-old but reports suggest they are ready to make another offer.
According to Corriere della Sera, the English giants are prepared to make a £46.6m bid and offer the player a five-year contract worth £58k-a-week.
Calafiori has developed into one of the finest defenders in Europe in the last few years.
He featured in 30 Serie A games last season, scoring two goals and contributing five assists.
His performances in Italy have caught the attention of Real Madrid, Chelsea, Liverpool, Paris Saint-Germain and Bayer Leverkusen.
But Arsenal are said to be leading the transfer race for the former Basel star.
Mikel Arteta’s side are yet to sign a player in the current transfer window, although they have released the likes of Cedric Soares, Mohamed Elneny and Arthur Okonkwo.
But it looks like they are not far away from sealing a transfer for Calafiori.
The 22-year-old’s arrival at the Emirates Stadium could spell the end for Jakub Kiwior, who was initially brought in as a deputy to Gabriel Magalhaes but has mostly played as a left-back.
The 24-year-old has made 38 appearances across all competitions since joining the Gunners in January last year.
Kiwior has been a useful squad player but Calafiori’s arrival will reduce his game time and so he could be sold this summer.
Stats from Transfermarkt
