'Can confirm...' - Club chief makes huge transfer statement after Liverpool talks & Newcastle United enquiry

The 22-year-old Bologna defender has been away at Euro 2024 with Italy with several clubs across Europe keeping a close eye. Despite only making his senior international debut last month, Calafiori started all three of Italy’s group stage matches before being suspended for the 2-0 last-16 defeat to Switzerland.

He can play at centre-back or left-back and has been subject to enquiries from a number of Premier League clubs. According to The Athletic, Newcastle are among the clubs to have registered an interest as they eye defensive reinforcements, Liverpool, Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea have also been linked.

Newcastle have already signed a left-footed defender in Lloyd Kelly so far this summer and also have Dan Burn while Sven Botman recovers from injury.

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But Bologna technical director Giovanni Sartori has admitted that the Serie A side will listen to offers for Calafiori this summer. “I can confirm that we will consider proposals for Riccardo Calafiori,” he said. “It'd be fantastic to keep him but we have to be realistic".

“In case of good proposal, we will discuss about that; and we anticipate clubs from abroad to move.”

According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Arsenal and Chelsea are both actively working on a deal to sign the young defender having targeted left-sided defenders this summer.