Boost for Liverpool as Bologna set conditions for £42m Riccard Calafiori sale

Liverpool have received a boost after Bologna reportedly set conditions for Riccardo Calafiori to leave the club this summer.

Il Bianco Nero reports that Bologna are currently dealing with the future of centre-back Riccardo Calafiori. It’s not a straightforward one, however.

Bologna want to keep him - Calafiori was one of the best defenders in Serie A last season, after all. His star turn with Italy at Euro 2024 has only strengthened their desire to hold onto the 22-year-old.

But Calafiori is generating a lot of interest from other clubs. It leaves Bologna knowing full well that he’ll be difficult to keep - even if they’re going to offer him a new contract.

And so they’re setting conditions. One of those is the new contract, another is that Calafiori will not join Juventus - the club to which he’s been linked with the most. Bologna will not sell to them and the defender cannot ask for the move.

In return, they’ll accept that offers from the Premier League will be too good to turn down. Something in the region of €50m (£42.5m) will almost certainly be accepted and certain English clubs are capable of putting it on the table.

Liverpool may well be one of them.

Liverpool for Calafiori?

The Athletic reports that Liverpool are one of several English clubs to have asked about Calafiori. Fabrizio Romano is among those claiming Richard Hughes is a long-time fan and has tracked the Italian for years.

Liverpool are also a centre-back short after Joel Matip’s summer exit. Now, it’s entirely possible that the Reds decide they have enough and don’t need to drop £40m+ on a new defender - but the option is there if they want it.

Calafiori is as good a signing as they’ll find, certainly in that price range. This could be one to watch as Bologna prepare to field offers.