Riccardo Calafiori: Five clubs who want to sign Euro 2024 revelation

Carlo Garganese

19 Jun 2024 17:30 BST
4 min read

Riccardo Calafiori, Italy, Euro 2024 — © IMAGO

Riccardo Calafiori has emerged as one of the hottest properties on the Euro 2024 transfer market.

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Calafiori hit the headlines on Saturday after a brilliant performance for Italy in their 2-1 win over Albania.

The centre back earned rave reviews for his performance at centre back, in what was his first competitive start for his nation.

Interest in signing Calafiori has now exploded in the days since this match, with there being at least five major clubs reported to want him.

Juventus remain the favourites to sign the Bologna centre back this summer.

The Bianconeri have been in talks to sign Calafiori for several weeks. The defender has already agreed on personal terms on a contract until 2029.

READ MORE: Euro 2024 most assists

It is also understood that Calafiori wants to join Juventus. The sticking point for Juventus is Bologna’s reluctance to sell as well as his asking price of €40 million, which risks rising if Calafiori keeps performing well at Euro 2024.

Calafiori’s former club Basel will receive a 50% sell-on amount when the defender is sold.

This price tag would not be a problem for Chelsea, who have emerged in recent days as suitors for Calafiori.

According to Nicolo Schira, Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca sent club scouts to Italy’s match against Albania to watch his primary defensive target.

Maresca is a huge fan of the Italy and Bologna centre-back and believes he is the perfect addition to his backline.

Chelsea will sign a top centre back this summer following the departure of Thiago Silva.

© IMAGO - Calafiori impressed in first Italy game

Real Madrid enter Calafiori race

Real Madrid are also now considering a bid for Calafiori, according to reports in Spain.

Madrid are assembling something of a dream team of the best young talents in world football, with the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Jr, Jude Bellingham and Arda Guler already on their books.

The Athletic claimed on Wednesday that Newcastle have now also entered the race for Calafiori.

The Premier League side are in the market for a centre back this summer and have made enquiries to Bologna about Calafiori.

Finally, more long-term admirers of Calafiori are Bayer Leverkusen. Xabi Alonso is said to be a huge fan of the Italian and would love to add him to a team that went the whole Bundesliga season unbeaten last term.

Calafiori was one of the breakout stars of the Serie A season in 2023-24, playing a key role in Bologna’s shock qualification for the Champions League.

A modern centre back, Calafiori has displayed all the qualities and attributes of a potentially top-class defender.

The 22-year-old presses and reads the game excellently. His use of the ball is superb and he is renowned for bringing the ball out of defence and joining in the construction of the play in midfield and beyond. He is aggressive and excellent in the air.

Calafiori was converted from a left back to a centre back by now former Bologna manager Thiago Motta - now the new Juventus boss.