Liverpool, Newcastle United, and West Ham United have reportedly submitted enquiries for 22-year-old Italian international Riccardo Calafiori.
According to a report by The Athletic, Liverpool, Newcastle United, and West Ham United are interested in Riccardo Calafiori. The three Premier League clubs have already submitted enquiries for the 22-year-old, with Bologna scrambling to keep hold of him beyond the summer transfer window.
The rapid rise of Riccardo Calafiori
Riccardo Calafiori has made rapid strides since joining Bologna from FC Basel last summer. The Italian defensive prospect took some time to rise in prominence as he could not set the stage alight after graduating from the youth division at AS Roma. The stint with FC Basel helped him find a stable footing before going from strength to strength at Bologna FC.
The 22-year-old has turned out 33 times thus far for Bologna, chipping in with two goals and five assists. Calafiori’s exploits for the Rossoblu helped the club qualify for the UEFA Champions League while earning him his debut for the Italian national side. And the young centre-back started the Azzurri’s UEFA Euro 2024 campaign-opening match against Albania.
Meanwhile, Calafiori’s progress at the Serie A club has not gone unnoticed, capturing the attention of several high-profile clubs across Europe, especially from the Premier League. The latest report has revealed Liverpool, Newcastle United, and West Ham United as his suitors, with the trio submitting enquiries to secure his services.
Premier League move on the cards?
Liverpool’s interest in Riccardo Calafiori is understandable. The Reds are scouring the market for a centre-back this summer after losing Joel Matip as a free agent. Several candidates have thus emerged on Liverpool’s radar, with the 22-year-old Italian international being a viable target. As for Newcastle United, they want to sign another central defender despite landing Lloyd Kelly in a Bosman move.
Recent reports have linked Newcastle United with Calafiori, with the youngster having the ability to become the undisputed first-choice centre-back alongside Sven Botman. Meanwhile, West Ham United will aim to sign a central defender this summer amid uncertainties surrounding the future of Nayef Aguerd.
Liverpool, Newcastle United, and West Ham United are not the only Premier League clubs vying for Riccardo Calafiori’s signature, with widespread reports also linking him with Chelsea and Tottenham. It will be interesting to see where the 22-year-old Italian international plies his trade next season.
