Tottenham Hotspur’s hopes of signing one of their key targets have been dented.
Spurs are expected to be very active this summer. Ange Postecoglou has demanded changes at the club, and there will be plenty of movement once the transfer window opens in June.
Tottenham are likely to sign at least one new defender this summer, if not two, and they have been linked with about a dozen names since the turn of 2024.
Fabrizio Romano has shared the latest on one of them.
Fabrizio Romano shares update on Tottenham target Riccardo Calafiori
Riccardo Calafiori has been linked with a move to Tottenham for a few months now.
Reports first emerged in January that Spurs are really interested in the versatile Bologna defender and could even make a move to sign him.
Those links grew stronger in the following months, and it was claimed at the end of March that Tottenham were in a hurry to sign him and were even the favourites for his signature (Il Pallano Gonfiato).
Calafiori, who had a brilliant 2023/24 season at Bologna, was viewed as a great fit for Tottenham because of his versatility – he could play as a left-sided centre-half, at left-back and even as a left-winger.
Now, Romano has shared an update on Calafiori’s future that could upset a few Tottenham fans.
The journalist revealed on X that the Spurs-linked Bologna defender has ‘said yes’ to signing for Juventus this summer.
Thiago Motta, who managed Calafiori at Bologna, is set to become the new boss of Juventus, and he wants to sign the defender for the Turin club.
That is a big blow for Tottenham.
Romano tweeted: “After Di Gregorio deal done, Juventus are now focused on advancing on Riccardo Calafiori as next signing.
“Calafiori said yes to Juventus working again with Motta — set to agree on personal terms. Club-to-club talks to follow; there could be players included in the deal.”
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Tottenham’s move to sign another versatile defender has also failed
Tottenham desperately need cover for Micky van de Ven and Destiny Udogie at the back.
Spurs really struggled when those two players missed games due to injuries, and Postecoglou will be keen to solve that issue in his side.
The ideal option for Tottenham would be to sign one player who’s capable of playing as both, a left-sided centre-half and left-back.
That’s why Calafiori was a really good fit, but it looks like Tottenham have missed out on his signature after he ‘said yes’ to joining Juventus.
The Bologna man isn’t the only one Spurs have missed out on – another target who can play as a left-back and left-centre-back is also reportedly going elsewhere – Lloyd Kelly.
Reports have claimed that the Bournemouth defender is set to join Newcastle United despite ‘late interest’ from Tottenham recently.
It will be interesting to see who Spurs will go after next.