Riccardo Calafiori’s move from Bologna to Arsenal has been a long and complex process. The 20-year-old left-back was signed by the Gunners in August for an initial fee of €10 million, but his transfer was not officially completed until January due to issues with his medical records.

Calafiori’s move was initially delayed when Bologna discovered that he had been playing for another club in Italy without permission. The issue arose because Calafiori played for a lower-division team called Virtus Francavilla in the 2020-21 season, which is against Italian football regulations.

As a result, Arsenal had to negotiate with Bologna and Virtue Francavilla to resolve the situation. The Gunners ultimately agreed to pay an additional fee to compensate for Calafiori’s unauthorized playing time, which pushed up the overall transfer cost to €15 million.

Meanwhile, Emile Smith Rowe is reportedly close to joining Fulham on loan from Arsenal. The 22-year-old midfielder has struggled to establish himself in the Premier League and may benefit from a temporary move away from the Emirates Stadium.

Smith Rowe has played just 13 minutes of league football for Arsenal this season and has been left out of the squad altogether in recent weeks. A loan move could provide him with more game time and help him regain his form.

It’s worth noting that Calafiori and Smith Rowe are both young players who still have a lot to prove at the highest level. While their transfer situations may be complex, they also present opportunities for growth and development.