Liverpool are beginning to firm up their plans to bring a new centre-back to the club.
The Reds have been assessing their options as they look to make the first signing of the Anre Slot era.
Leny Yoro has been heavily linked and looks like potentially being top of Liverpool’s list. However, the 18-year-old is not the only one on the radar.
During his first interview as new Liverpool head coach on Wednesday, Slot admitted that he has been in constant contact with sporting director Richard Hughes.
And as the Reds conspire to add quality to the first-team squad, journalist Fabrizio Romano says they could yet target a player who is shining at Euro 2024.
Fabrizio Romano gives Riccardo Calafiori update
Yoro is perhaps the dream centre-back signing for Liverpool. The 18-year-old looks like one of the best prospects to come through in defence for years.
However, with Yoro keen on joining Real Madrid, there’s a very good chance that Liverpool can’t get him to Anfield this summer. As a result, they need to keep their eye on other potential additions.
One who’s name has cropped up this week has been Bologna defender Riccardo Calafiori. The 22-year-old has been a starter for Italy at the Euros.
According to transfer expert Romano, Calafiori has already given the ‘green light’ to joining Juventus this summer. However, speaking on his Playback channel, the journalist says other clubs, including Liverpool, are still in the mix.
“What I can say at this point is that nothing will be decided now for Riccardo Calafiori,” Romano explains. “Calafiori already gave his green light for Juventus, this is something he’s been open to doing for a long time. He would be happy to stay in Italy and play for Juventus but there is a big issue between Bologna and Juve.
READ MORE: One player Liverpool should look to sign from every Euro 2024 squad, including Riccardo Calafiori
“Bologna are open to proposals from abroad,” adds the reporter. “At the moment there is still no formal bid. Chelsea, Liverpool, Newcastle and Tottenham have been scouting the player, following the player.
“I see many questions about Liverpool. We have these links to Liverpool because Richard Hughes since he was at Bournemouth knows the player so well, was following him for Bournemouth while he was at Roma. He knows him so well, so let’s see what Liverpool decide to do.
“I also keep repealing the name of Leny Yoro for Liverpool who’s waiting for Real Madrid, they remain the favourites.
“But at the moment for Calafiori the idea of Bologna is to wait for the end of the Euros to see which club will present a proposal and sell only in case they receive a really important bid. Otherwise they will fight to keep the player. It’s not that easy to sign Calafiori at this point.”
When is Riccardo Calafiori next in action?
Liverpool fans won’t have to wait long to run the rule over Calafiori once again.
Links to the former Roma youth team graduate have caused excitement amongst the fanbase and you can understand why. World Cup winner Gianluca Zambrotta has deemed Calafiori to be ‘extraordinary’ [TuttomercatWeb].
It’s also true that Liverpool supporters are not used to seeing Italian’s at their club.
Only six players from the Peninsula have turned out for Liverpool, with the last being an undistinguished spell for Mario Balotelli which ended in 2016.
So, usually with little reason to tune in and watch the Azzurri, Reds fans will be keen to do so at this summer’s Euros.
They’ll be able to catch Calafiori in action for Italy as they take on Spain on Thursday evening. If the centre-back can impress, excitement will continue to grow.