Riccardo Calafiori transfer stance confirmed as Liverpool links continue

Liverpool have received an update on the future of Bologna star Riccardo Calafiori.

The Reds have been credited with an interest in signing the defender in recent weeks. Calafiori was recently part of the Italy squad that featured at Euro 2024 before exiting the tournament following a defeat to Switzerland at the weekend.

Calafiori plays as a centre-back for Bologna but is also capable of performing at left-back. His ability and versatility have seen the 23-year-old linked with a big-money move to a new club this summer.

As well as Liverpool, Calafiori is also reportedly a target for Arsenal, Chelsea, Real Madrid and Juventus if recent reports are to be believed.

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Liverpool could be in the market for a new centre-back following the departure of Joel Matip this summer as a free agent. However, it remains to be seen if the Reds will look to bring in a new defender, and also if Calafiori even is a genuine target.

Now Bologna technical director Giovanni Sartori has provided an update on Calafiori's future with the club. Sartori has explained how the Serie A outfit are determined to keep hold of the defender but did admit that it's possible an agreement could be reached with a club outside Italy.

"We took him 12 months ago so we'll see what happens in the market but in our heads there is the will to keep him," Sartori said on Monday, via Calciomercato.

"We will try to keep him but if important offers arrive we will have to take them into consideration. I don't think he will go to Juventus, he will probably go to a different market".

Liverpool currently have Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate, Joe Gomez and Jarell Quansah as their first-team centre-back options in the squad. Arne Slot will be spending the early weeks of his reign as head coach assessing his squad, with pre-season training set to get underway later this month.