5 months ago
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MORE CENTRE-BACKS.
Liverpool FC continue to be linked with every hot centre-back prospect available, and this time, it’s Italy’s 22-year-old Riccardo Calafiori. In The Athletic’s Transfer Dealsheet, Italian football expert and journalist James Horncastle named Liverpool as one of the clubs interested in enquiring about the defender.
Calafiori, the man with the impressive mane, had a standout season at Bologna, transitioning from left-back to centre-back. His performance for Italy against Albania was a testament to his versatility, with six of nine duels won, three interceptions, an impressive 99 passes (93% success), and both of his attempted dribbles completed. His left-footedness could be a valuable addition to Liverpool’s backline, potentially filling a more immediate need than other transfer targets, even the super-impressive Leny Yoro.
Calafiori had been thought to be nailed on for a move to Juventus this summer. Still, the situation is complicated by the Old Lady’s poaching of coach Thiago Motta from Bologna. Speaking on Playback, Fabrizio Romano had this to say about the mess the clubs find themselves in:
“Thiago Motta and Ricardo Calafiori already agreed on personal terms with Juventus weeks ago but between Juventus and Bologna the situation is complicated,”
“First of all, because 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 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.”
Well, we do love a good swooping. With Yoro likely holding out for a move to Real Madrid, Calafiori would make for a very nice Plan B. Let’s see if that materialises.
