Manchester City are reportedly keen on a player who Alessandro Bastoni is a huge fan of.
It has been a quiet summer so far for Manchester City, with no players coming in as of yet, and none going out either.
With Euro 2024 now in full swing, and the Copa America having also started, it is possible fans may have to exercise patience before things start to happen.
But despite two major tournaments going on, there is still lots of speculation.
Recently, it was suggested that City are ‘curious’ about Bologna defender Riccardo Calafiori, who is currently playing at Euro 2024 with Italy.
He’s played their first two games and impressed, although he was unfortunate to score an own goal against Spain.
Calafiori has seen his stock soar after a cracking season with Bologna, and his international teammate Bastoni has raved about him in a press conference.
Alessandro Bastoni lauds reported Man City target Riccardo Calafiori
Calafiori enjoyed a tremendous season in 2023/24, as he helped Bologna secure qualification for the 2024/25 Champions League.
The star was recently described by The Athletic as ‘the revelation of last season in Serie A’, and is a player who has been likened to City defender John Stones for the way he plays. He himself also classes Stones as one of his role models.
He finished the season as the highest-assisting central defender in the division, setting teammates up five times.
Calfiori has continued his great form this summer at the Euros.
He’s played both of Italy’s first two matches, and despite conceding two goals in those games and scoring an own goal against Spain, he has come in for big praise for his performances, as has his partner Bastoni.
Bastoni was speaking at a press conference on Sunday, and it was clear he seriously rates Calafiori. he told reporters (as quoted by Football Italia): “I am on good terms with Calafiori. He has enormous quality, he has no fear of playing the ball, and he’s similar to the player I was three years ago.
“As the coach said, playing certain games is an important step.
“We’ve played two games together so I hope we will complete this affinity with time.”
One for the future?
It was reported recently that City were ‘curious’ about Calafiori, but at the moment there doesn’t seem to be a major need for him.
Pep Guardiola has options to play on the left and in the middle, with Josko Gvardiol, Manuel Akanji and Nathan Ake having all featured on that side of the pitch.
But perhaps Calafiori – who is said to earn a relatively modest £12,000 per week at the moment – should be kept tabs on.
He is clearly a player with huge potential, and he was integral to Bologna making it into the Champions League.
Quite possibly, he could make for a good long-term replacement for Ake. Granted, the Dutchman is still only 29 and at the top of his game right now. But Calafiori seems like he’d be a solid successor.