Liverpool are still yet to do any business at all during the summer transfer window.
Although often busy in the market’s early weeks, the Reds have so far chosen to let things simmer since the end of the season.
There has obviously been a lot of change at the club in those few short weeks. Arne Slot has come in to replace Jurgen Klopp and has brought a whole new coaching team with him.
The Liverpool owners have also completely overhauled the club’s recruitment team, meaning targets may have been changed or updated in recent weeks.
One who has risen to the fore in the last days has been Bologna defender Riccardo Calafiori. And with Calafiori impressing at Euro 2024, Liverpool may have just been given a boost in their pursuit of the 22-year-old.
Bologna targeting Liverpool’s Sepp van den Berg
It’s cleat that Liverpool could do with a new centre-back this summer. Having lost Joel Matip, Slot’s options are a little too thin on the ground.
With that in mind, Calafiori has emerged as a real contender to come in and challenge Ibrahima Konate and Jarell Quansah.
Of course, Konate and Quansah aren’t the only possibilities Slot could choose from to partner Virgil van Dijk.
Joe Gomez is still around and, more interestingly, Sepp van den Berg is returning after a brilliant season with Mainz.
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Although Slot is reportedly keen to take a look at Van den Berg, the 22-year-old has told Liverpool that he wants to leave.
At this point, it seems unlikely that Van den Berg will play for Liverpool again. As a result, a permanent move would be best for all parties this summer.
And according to The Daily Mail, an interesting new option has now emerged for the Dutchman. They claim that as well as Wolfsburg and Southampton, Bologna are interested in a deal for Van den Berg.
With Liverpool target Calafiori now ‘expected to depart,’ the Italian club are said to be keen on Van den Berg as a replacement. The Reds reportedly still value the Dutch U21 international at £20m.
Liverpool should look for Bologna swap deal
This problem just became remarkably easy for Liverpool to solve. With Bologna wanting one of their players, and the Reds wanting Calafiori, a swap deal should be in the offing.
As we’ve seen during the transfer window so far, swaps between clubs seem to be in fashion again.
Juventus’ desire to give Aston Villa a couple of their players and some cash in exchange for Douglas Luiz shows that Italian clubs may be open to this way of operation.
And with Richard Hughes reportedly very familiar with the Italian market – and with Calafiori – this is now an option Liverpool should explore.
Calafiori would obviously be the more expensive player of the two, but if Liverpool could get a hefty discount and get an unhappy Van den Berg off the books, then surely everybody wins.