Riccardo Calafiori clause could impact Liverpool transfer plans as Bologna chief speaks out

Liverpool will have to pay a considerable fee to land Euro 2024 star Riccardo Calafiori this summer. The Bologna defender has continued his fine club form with some impressive group stage performances for Italy.

The 22-year-old only joined Bologna a year ago and helped the Serie A side qualify for next season's Champions League. His performances attracted interest from Juventus, who had a bid rejected for Calafiori's services back in May.

Bologna was well aware that his value could increase after the Euros and that is proving to be the case, with Calafiori starring for Luciano Spalletti's side. Italy will take on Switzerland for a place in the last eight this weekend.

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The defender's performances have attracted interest from a host of clubs across Europe, and in particular the Premier League. Manchester United and Newcastle are both said to be admirers with Liverpool having also inquired about him, according to The Athletic.

Italian publication Tuttosport now reports that Arsenal and Tottenham are both also in the mix but Bologna is determined to hold out for around $53m (£42m/€50m). And the reason for that is the clause inserted in the deal to take him to Italy from Basel a year ago.

Bologna will have to pay the Swiss side around 40 per cent of the future sale, having signed Calafiori for just $6.4m (£5m/€6m). And while Bologna will still make a tidy profit, it is keen to ensure its valuation is met.

Sporting director Marco Di Vaio played a key role in signing the defender last summer and remains hopeful the defender will stick around. He told Libero: "It is confirmation that Bologna is working well and doing the right things. It is not a surprise to us.

"We know Calafiori well and we have been following him for years. The European Championships will have a significant boost on his value but the intention is to keep all of our players."

Liverpool.com says: Calafiori has been one of the stars of the Euros so far and Bologna was right to turn down offers back in May. The Serie A side will be able to demand even more for his signature now and Liverpool is going to face competition, if it decides to make an official approach.