Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano reported a breakdown in the relationship between Bologna and Juventus over Riccardo Calafiori amid interest from Liverpool
Fabrizio Romano reveals that Bologna and Juventus complicate things involving Riccardo Calafiori, giving Liverpool the advantage. Liverpool wants to sign a left-footed centre-back to compete with their current defensive options and eventually succeed Virgil van Dijk.
The Reds struggled to keep clean sheets last season which eventually cost them major trophies despite enjoying a good season. They need to make sure that similar problems will not haunt them in defence next season under Arne Slot.
Liverpool have Ibrahima Konate, Jarell Quansah and Joe Gomez as the defensive options apart from Van Dijk. While Konate has an unreliable record with injuries, Quansah needs supervision with his game time due to his relatively young career. Meanwhile, Gomez’s versatility allows him to play in several positions as a utility player for the defence.
The Athletic reported that the Reds have inquired about Calafiori alongside several top European clubs including Serie A giants Juventus. New Liverpool sports director Richard Hughes boasts a vast knowledge of Italian football and highly rates the potential and calibre of Calafiori. The Old Lady recently signed Calafiori’s Bologna manager Thiago Motta as their new head coach at the club causing friction between the two clubs.
Speaking to Playback, Romano highlighted the complications between Bologna and Juventus that could end any potential deal for Calafiori. He said:
“Bologna were not so happy with how Motta joined Juventus. So the situation is quite tense between the two clubs. Also because Bologna believe that if the player [Calafiori] can keep performing like this after a fantastic season at Serie A, and now at the Euros, maybe they can sell him abroad for bigger money.”
Player analysis: Riccardo Calafiori
Standing at 1.88 metres, Calafiori is a left-footed centre-back who is also capable of playing as a left-back if required. In fact, Motta changed Calafiori into the centre-back after the youngster joined the Italian club from Basel last summer.
Calafiori enjoyed an impressive season with Bologna under Motta’s possessional-based high-line football tactics with a two-man defence and three central midfielders. The 22-year-old has the pace, stamina and strength to hold his own against any opponent in ground and aerial duels.
The Italy international works hard for his team but uses his game-reading ability and positioning to counter the opposition’s attack. He makes a high level of successful tackles, interceptions and blocks while winning aerial battles to secure his territory.
On the possession, Calafiori is a fantastic ball-playing defender with the ability to make progressive carries and dictate the tempo. He makes continuous progressive passes and influences the game for his team from the backline as a typical modern-day centre-back.
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Calafiori attracted more attention with his fantastic performance for Italy in the Euro 2024 match against Albania. The Italian fits the profile that Liverpool desire in a centre-back but his Euro 2024 campaign could raise his price and attract other high-spending clubs.
