Bologna FC is bracing for bids from Premier League clubs for their defensive star Riccardo Calafiori. The club’s director, Giovanni Sartori, has confirmed that Calafiori is unlikely to join Juventus, with Bologna preferring to keep him but open to selling him abroad.
- Bologna expects bids from Premier League clubs for Riccardo Calafiori.
- Club director Sartori confirms Calafiori is unlikely to join Juventus.
- Bologna prefers to keep Calafiori but is open to selling him abroad.
Bologna’s Defensive Gem: Riccardo Calafiori
Riccardo Calafiori, born on May 19, 2002, in Rome, Italy, has quickly established himself as a versatile defender known for his ability to play both as a centre-back and on the left side of the defense. Standing at 1.88 meters tall, the 22-year-old currently plays for Bologna FC 1909, having joined the club on August 31, 2023. His contract with Bologna runs until June 30, 2027, and his market value is estimated at €30.00 million as of June 5, 2024.
In his brief stint with Bologna, Calafiori has made 43 Serie A appearances, scoring 2 goals and providing 1 assist. His performance has not gone unnoticed, earning him 5 caps for the Italy national team.
Premier League Clubs Eyeing Calafiori
In a recent tweet by renowned football journalist Fabrizio Romano, it was revealed that Bologna FC expects Premier League clubs to bid for Riccardo Calafiori. The club’s director, Giovanni Sartori, confirmed that Calafiori is unlikely to join Juventus and may instead move abroad if a decision is made to sell him. However, Sartori emphasized that Bologna would prefer to keep the talented defender.
🚨🇮🇹 Bologna expect Premier League clubs to bid for Riccardo Calafiori, as revealed.
Director Sartori confirms: “I think he will NOT end up joining Juventus”.
“Probably he can go abroad, in case we decide to sell him…”.
“We’d like to keep Calafiori so let’s see what happens”. https://t.co/qg7TGQcKsw
pic.twitter.com— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano)
July 01, 2024
Riccardo Calafiori’s potential move to the Premier League aligns with Chelsea’s current strategy of bolstering their squad with young and promising talents. This interest follows Chelsea’s recent moves, such as securing Marc Guiu from FC Barcelona and eyeing a midfield sensation from Leicester City and a Brazilian defender from Nottingham Forest.
Calafiori’s Career So Far
Club Career
- Bologna FC 1909 (2023-Present)
- Serie A: 43 appearances, 2 goals, 1 assist
- FC Basel (2022-2023)
- Super League: 26 appearances, 1 goal, 1 assist
- AS Roma (Youth and Senior Team)
- Primavera 1: 14 appearances, 2 goals, 1 assist
- Serie A: 4 appearances
- Europa League: 5 appearances
- UEFA Youth League: 1 appearance
National Team Career
- Italy Senior Team: 5 caps
- Italy U21: 7 caps
- Italy U20: 2 caps
- Italy U19: 2 caps
- Italy U17: 3 caps, 1 goal
- Italy U16: 6 caps, 1 goal
- Italy U15: 4 caps
Transfer History
- From AS Roma to FC Basel: Transfer fee undisclosed
- From FC Basel to Bologna FC 1909: Transfer fee undisclosed
Future Prospects
As the transfer window approaches, Riccardo Calafiori’s future remains uncertain. While Bologna FC aims to retain their defensive gem, the allure of the Premier League and potential bids from top English clubs could sway both the player and the club. Football fans and analysts will be closely watching this developing story to see where Calafiori’s career will take him next.
For more detailed player statistics and transfer history, check Riccardo Calafiori’s profile on Transfermarkt.
