Liverpool's Riccardo Calafiori transfer advantage over Arsenal as hijack plan laid out

Before Euro 2024, Liverpool supporters would have been excused for not being familiar with the talents of Bologna's Riccardo Calafiori.

However, after his displays for Italy this summer, there is no excuse for being blind to this man's potential now. The Italians were pretty shambolic in Germany but one thing they were able to rely on was their defensive stability.

One of the main men they could thank for this was Calafiori. His ability to read the danger and subsequently snuff it out led to him easily being the standout player for the Italians.

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Unsurprisingly this has led to European football's top clubs sniffing around the 22-year-old with Liverpool and Arsenal pushing to get a deal done. According to the Daily Mail, the Gunners are trying to spring a quick move for the centre-back before their summer tour of the US later this month.

This has been met with disappointment and fear from sections of the Reds' fanbase due to a lack of quality centre-backs on the market at present. Fortunately, Liverpool supporters should not stress too much as the club has a clear transfer advantage over Arsenal.

If the Italian was to move to the Emirates Stadium, he would instantaneously thrust into a battle for a place in the starting XI. Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba were the best centre-back partnership in the Premier League last season and there is a real possibility that Calafiori will have to wait his turn before getting a chance to excel.

Meanwhile, Liverpool can nearly offer him starting football from the outset. Calafiori could easily become the No.2 centre-back at Anfield alongside Virgil van Dijk.

The Dutchman may have played on the same side of defence as Calafiori last season but he is naturally right-footed so the transition should not be too difficult for a player of his quality. Plus, none of the other options at the club have staked a strong enough claim to keep the impressive Italian out of the team.

At 22, Calafiori needs to be playing week in and week out to continue his progression. Liverpool can offer him that and ultimately it could be enough hijack any bid Arsenal want to offer him.