Manchester City are said to be ‘curious’ about a defender who is set to play in next season’s Champions League.
It has been a fairly quiet summer so far at the Etihad Stadium, with no major incomings or outgoings.
With the Euros going on and the Copa America set to start soon, it is possible that things may not starting happening for another few weeks.
But there is always speculation.
City have been linked with a move for Bruno Guimaraes, with his club Newcastle United said to be under some financial pressure at the moment.
He’s one of the top targets.
But it has been suggested recently that Manchester City are ‘curious’ about a defender who can play both in the middle and on the left.
Manchester City have some interest in Bologna defender Riccardo Calafiori
In recent times, Pep Guardiola has like to use centre-backs at left-back.
Josko Gvardiol featured there last season, with Nathan Ake and Manuel Akanji both slotting in at times.
It has been quite a while since City actually had a natural left-back playing left-back.
But the club appear to have an eye on another player capable of playing centrally and out on the left. It was reported by The Athletic on Tuesday that City are ‘curious’ about Bologna defender Riccardo Calafiori.
Calafiori made 37 appearances for the Italian club last season, and chipped in with a couple of goals and five assists.
The star, 22, was the subject of a feature from respected journalist James Horncastle, who has described Calafiori as ‘the revelation of Serie A last season’.
Horncastle also states that Calafiori was compared to John Stones frequently last season, as he helped Bologna qualify for the Champions League. And he actually publishes quotes fro Calafiori speaking about the City number 5.
He’s said previously: “His style of play is closest to mine. Stones is my reference. It’s not off-the-cuff when I go into midfield. It’s following the guidelines of the coach. He saw me in this role. I’ve learned oceans off him.”
Calafiori would be an amazing signing
Tactically, Calafiori would be an absolutely great fit for City.
We know how much Pep loves his players to be versatile, and Calafiori is a centre-back by trade who can play wide on the left and also push into midfield. City are also a fairly big team, and the 6ft 2in Calafiori would provide some additional height
The fact he’s like Stones is very exciting.
The problem is that there probably just isn’t a massive need for him at City at the moment. Both Gvardiol and Ake are centre-backs who can play out wide. And then Akanji can also do a job.
Pep has Stones who can play in the middle and push into midfield. So it’s difficult to see how City would act on their curiosity this summer.
But perhaps Calafiori will be one for the future.