Bologna chief reveals Hummels approach as Calafiori nears Arsenal move

Bologna chief executive Claudio Fenucci has revealed the club have offered Mats Hummels a contract as they seek to replace Arsenal-bound centre-back Riccardo Calafiori.

Bologna finished fifth in Serie A last season, qualifying for the Champions League as a result of Italian clubs’ impressive performances across UEFA’s competitions.

There has been plenty of upheaval for the Rossoblu since then, however, with coach Thiago Motta leaving for Juventus and former Fiorentina boss Vincenzo Italiano taking his place.

Calafiori, meanwhile, is set for a medical with Arsenal after helping Bologna keep 17 clean sheets in Serie A last term, a tally only bettered by Inter (21) and Torino (18).

With the Italy international on his way out, Bologna have turned to a player with vast Champions League experience in their bid to replace him.

Speaking at the unveiling of recently-signed forward Thjis Dallinga on Friday, Fenucci revealed Bologna are working on a deal to sign Hummels, who left Borussia Dortmund on a free after their Champions League final defeat to Real Madrid last month.

“The departure of Calafiori forces us to look for a new central defender,” he explained.

“Why does Hummels take some time? It’s very normal, we spoke to him recently. It is right that he thinks about it, to arrive with the right motivations.

“We don’t have to talk here about our conversations with Hummels, but we explained the project and the city to him.

“Many players have finished their careers here, the city has this attraction, it seems.

“There is no deadline, but if there are no conditions we have to look at other players as well.”

Hummels excelled as Dortmund reached their third Champions League final last term, leading all players in the competition for tackles won (29), interceptions (25) and total recoveries (81).

Only eight players in the tournament, meanwhile, played more passes than his 676 throughout BVB’s run to the Wembley Stadium showpiece.