Yahoo Sports Bologna demand ‘important fee’ for Spurs and Liverpool-linked defender
Bologna will demand an ‘important fee’ for Riccardo Calafiori this summer due to a sell-on fee owed to former club Basel.
Calafiori’s breakout season at Bologna has attracted interest from leading clubs across Europe, with Tottenham and Liverpool reportedly battling it out with Juventus to sign the 22-year-old.
The centre-back starred as Bologna secured a top-five finish in Serie A and Champions League qualification last season and has earned a starting role with Italy at this summer’s European Championship.
Calafiori assisted Mattia Zaccagni’s 98th-minute equaliser against Croatia as the holders snatched a 1-1 draw and place in the Euro 2024 knockout rounds this week.
After moving from left-back into a central role last season, Calafiori scored twice and provided five assists for Bologna, while ranking sixth in Serie A for interceptions and percentage of aerial duels won.
His performances have not gone unnoticed but Fabrizio Romano has reported Bologna will only consider his sale for a significant fee. The defender joined the Italians from FC Basel last summer for a fee of €6m (£5m) and the Swiss side are entitled to 40% of any profit on that fee.
Bologna are desperate to keep their side together after reaching the Champions League, having already lost head coach Thiago Motta to Juventus.
“We’ll see after the Euros but we want to keep all out players, including Calafiori,” Bologna director Marco Di Vaio said.
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