Maresca's DREAM first Chelsea signing set to snub Blues

Cameron Smith

• 31 May 2024 05:00 CDT
• 3 min read

Bologna defender Riccardo Calafiori is set to snub interest from Chelsea in favour of a summer move to Juventus.

The 22-year-old was a breakout star last season and played a key role in Bologna’s first Champions League qualification since.

He made 30 appearances in the 2023-24 Serie A campaign, scoring two goals and providing five assists, and his form has attracted significant transfer interest from numerous top European clubs.

READ MORE: Premier League summer transfers 2024 - All the Done Deals

Inter Milan, Napoli, AC Milan, Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur are all interested in Calafiori, according to CaughtOffside, while Chelsea are also admirers.

The Blues have reportedly met with Bologna representatives regarding a possible move for Calafiori, and they are willing to pay €30 million for the Italy international.

READ MORE: Who is Riccardo Calafiori? Bologna wonderkid wanted by Juventus & Tottenham

Chelsea to miss out on Riccardo Calafiori

Enzo Maresca is a huge fan of the Bologna star, as per Tuttosport, and the Italian is eager to sign his compatriot upon his arrival at Chelsea. The Leicester City boss is set to be announced as Chelsea’s new manager shortly and he will be backed in the summer transfer window.

However, Calafiori is expected to snub interest from Chelsea, and others, in order to join Juventus. The Italian would reportedly like to stay in Serie A and his preference is to follow Thiago Motta to Juventus, according to CaughtOffside.

The Bologna boss is on the verge of replacing Massimiliano Allegri in Turin and Juventus are also in advanced talks to sign Calafiori.

The report states that Bologna are demanding €35m for Calafiori as 40% of any revenue generated from a sale must go to his former club FC Basel. He spent one year in Switzerland before joining Bologna for €4m last summer.

With Chelsea set to miss out on Calafiori, the Blues may turn their attention to Nottingham Forest’s Murillo, who has also been linked with a Stamford Bridge move in recent days.