Juventus set to beat Liverpool to Euro 2024 hero

Liverpool target Riccardo Calafiori closing in on a move to Juventus

According to Belgian journalist Sacha Tavolieri, Bologna defender Riccardo Calafiori is close to joining Juventus this summer amid interest from Liverpool.

The centre-back, 22, currently impressing for Italy at the 2024 European Championships, enjoyed a solid 2023/24 campaign with Bologna. He bagged two goals and five assists in 37 games as Bologna finished fifth in the Serie A table and qualified for the Champions League under the tutelage of Thiago Motta.

However, Thiago Motta succeeded Max Allegri at Juventus’ helm earlier this summer and he appears keen on reuniting with Riccardo Calafiori in Turin.

Sacha Tavolieri has stated on his official X account that Bologna and Juventus are currently fixing an agreement for the Italy international between €40m-€50m. Bologna are prepared for Calafiori’s departure and have already targeted several profiles to replace him ahead of the 2024/25 season.

This should come as a big blow for Liverpool. Calafiori is one of the up-and-coming defenders with a huge ceiling in Italy, demonstrating his qualities on and off the ball in Bologna colours this past season. The 22-year-old defender has an eye for goal and likes breaking away from the defensive line and joining his team’s attacking moves.

The Rome-born star was a pivotal figure behind Bologna’s Champions League-qualifying campaign and now looks set to follow his manager Thiago Motta to Juventus. Calafiori has taken his club form into the European Championships, catching the eye as a progressive left-sided centre-back. He has helped the Azzurri qualify for the knockout rounds of the 2024 Euros, assisting Mattia Zaccagni’s equaliser in stoppage time against Croatia on Monday night.

if Tavolieri’s recent report is to be believed, then it will prove to be tough to bring Calafiori to Anfield. It remains to be seen whether or not Liverpool moves to an alternative target to the Italy international, who is closing in on a move to Juventus. It would be a major risk not to given Joel Matip has been released by the club and Ibrahima Konate has a patchy injury record.

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New Liverpool boss Arne Slot requires reliable options to build a stable defence next season. How the Reds react to the likely blow of losing Calafiori to Juventus will be an interesting watch.