Bologna chief delivers Riccardo Calafiori transfer update with major blow to Arsenal rivals

Bologna have stated their hope that Riccardo Calafiori stays with the club during the summer transfer window despite rumoured interest from the likes of Arsenal and Tottenham.

Liverpool and Juventus have also been linked with the Italian centre-back, who starred as Bologna qualified for the Champions League last season before impressing for his country at Euro 2024.

Calafiori is expected to attract offers in the coming weeks and months but Bologna are intent on keeping him for at least the upcoming campaign.

Technical director Giovanni Sartori has admitted that the Serie A side will have to consider any sizeable bids for the 22-year-old but named domestic rivals Juve as an unlikely destination for the player.

“There is talk of Juventus but also of many other teams,” he told Sky Sports Italia.

“At this moment we will try to keep him. If important offers were to arrive, we will have to think about it.

“I am not saying that we will sell him because the president has said that he wants to keep the whole team, but we will certainly make some evaluations.

“I do not think he will go to Juventus, he will probably go in a different transfer window, but I repeat that we would like to try to keep him.”

Bologna have already lost coach Thiago Motta to Juve this summer and Italian media reports detail their serious intention to avoid selling Calafiori to the Bianconeri as a result.

That could open the door to the likes of Arsenal amid claims that he will be available for around £35million.

Another Bologna player catching the eye of clubs such as Manchester United, AC Milan and Arsenal is Joshua Zirkzee.

The Netherlands striker is widely expected to leave for his £34million release clause and Sartori confirmed that they are eyeing up replacements.

“I have known the market for many years and I believe there is a strong possibility that he could leave,” he admitted.

“He is a great player and attackers are highly sought-after.

“We've been thinking about it for months because replacing him will be very difficult, but we'll try. We have a few names and we'll work to replace him.”