Riccardo Calafiori contract clause complicates transfer as Liverpool given green light

Italy's title defense at Euro 2024 ended at the round of 16 stage and the 2-0 defeat to Switzerland in Berlin on Saturday. The reigning European champions scarcely looked threatening against a very capable Swiss side, three years on from sweeping all before them at Euro 2020.

One of the few players from Italy's exit to emerge with any credit is Bologna's Riccardo Calafiori, who is being linked heavily with a move to Liverpool.

Calafiori missed out on Italy's defeat to Switzerland through suspension, yet his reputation has vastly increased due to his performances in the group stage.

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Liverpool, Juventus and a host of other clubs are interested in signing the 22-year-old, and Bologna has resigned itself to the fact that Calafiori likely won't remain ahead of next season. According to The Mirror, the Italian side has given the green light to Liverpool if it intends to make a bid for the center-back.

Bologna will be hoping to earn as much money as possible from the sale of Calafiori. Juventus is interested in him, and Juve is thought to be the player's preference, yet Bologna know Juventus lack the financial muscle of Liverpool, and have so far lowballed them on an offer.

Moreover, Bologna have to forward 40 per cent of any eventual fee over $6m (£5m/€5.8m) to Swiss side Basel, as Calafiori played for the club in 2022/23 for a season before returning to Italy. With the Serie A side losing a large slice of any eventual fee for Calafiori, it intends to drive the price up as much as possible.

A transfer fee in the region of $50m (£39m/€46m), or higher, is likely what it will take to get Bologna to agree to sell Calafiori. With the 22-year-old's contract at the club not expiring until the summer of 2028, the club is in no rush to sell the player and with Champions League football next season, Bologna isn't in need of money.

Bologna will sell to the highest bidder, and with Liverpool on the market for a left-footed center-back, the Reds could be in pole position.

Liverpool.com says: The demand for Calafiori will be fierce considering his performances for Italy at Euro 2024. Liverpool would have the upper-hand from Juventus in terms of finances, but with the player's preference to join the Italian giants, the Reds face a fight to sign the player. However, money talks in football, and Liverpool could still beat Juve to sign Calafiori.