By Tom Gott
Real Madrid are the latest side to be credited with an interest in Bologna centre-back Riccardo Calafiori as he continues to impress at Euro 2024.
Calafiori, 22, entered the summer after a break-out Serie A campaign which saw him climb up Juventus' wish list, but his dazzling form for Italy has seen scouts from across Europe take an interest in his performances.
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Juventus are now growing concerned over their ability to reunite Calafiori with former boss Thiago Motta, who has taken charge in Turin, due to both the rising cost of the deal and the mounting interest in his services.
Real Madrid are said to have watched Calafiori this summer as part of their bid to snap up the best young talents on the planet.
Madrid have lost club captain Nacho Fernandez this summer, leaving only Eder Militao, David Alaba and Antonio Rudiger as senior centre-backs in Carlo Ancelotti's squad. There is a desire to sign Leny Yoro from Lille but talks over the 18-year-old are yet to make much progress.
As such, Calafiori has emerged as a potential target. His asking price is believed to have risen from €40m (£34m) up to €50m (£42m), with Bologna refusing to budge as Calafiori's former employers, Basel, have a 40% sell-on clause.
Such a figure is expected to be too high for Juventus but could be acceptable for fellow suitors Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur, both of whom are said to be keen on snapping up Calafiori after Euro 2024.
Bologna are expected to take their time and encourage as many offers as possible for the 22-year-old, who remains under contract until 2027, as they seek to extract a huge sum of money from his suitors.
Chelsea have been tentatively mentioned as a possible landing spot for Calafiori, as have both Liverpool and Manchester United.
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This article was originally published on 90min.com as Real Madrid 'join race' for Arsenal & Tottenham target Riccardo Calafiori.
