Who is Riccardo Calafiori? Liverpool highly interested in $32M Italy star and Juventus target

When it comes to transfer priorities this summer, nothing tops a center-back for Liverpool. The only question is who that player might be and whether they primarily play on the left or the right of the defensive pairing.

Italy defender Riccardo Calafiori has caught the eye for his national side at Euro 2024 and The Athletic reports that Liverpool has already made an inquiry for his services. Newcastle United, Brighton and West Ham are all also taking a look at the 22-year-old who comes off the back of an outstanding season with Bologna, with Spurs and Bayer Leverkusen having previously been credited with holding an interest.

He mainly played at center-back last season, becoming a gifted ball-playing defender. Calafiori can also play left-back but while that sort of left-sided option could be ideal for Liverpool, it is suggested that Juventus might be the leading contender to sign him this summer.

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That is because new Juventus head coach Thiago Motta managed Calafiori at Bologna last year and so there is already an existing relationship between the pair. The Old Lady would like to add defensive reinforcements and it would make sense that it targeted someone already proven in Serie A.

"The move from full-back to central defender happened out of necessity," Calafiori said in an interview with the Italian FA. "But from the first day in Bologna, I spoke with Thiago Motta and he immediately told me that he saw me playing in the center of defense."

It was a move that paid off. Last season, only two defenders in Serie A had a better pass completion rate than the former FC Basel man and he created an impressive 17 chances for his teammates from the back. Like Joel Matip, the man who he would effectively replace if Liverpool ended up signing him, he is more than comfortable stepping into midfield with the ball.

In April, Tuttomercato pitched Calafiori's valuation at around $32m (£25m/€30m). Basel, as part of the deal that saw him to Bologna, would be entitled to a substantial chunk of the fee.

For Liverpool, though, Calafiori would be worth a look as long as his performances at the European Championship do not see his valuation suddenly skyrocket. While he has only played a total of three times for his national side, his early showing in Germany suggests he may be a mainstay for as long as Italy remains in the tournament.