Bologna’s preferred destination for Riccardo Calafiori shared after Liverpool enquiry

Liverpool continue to be linked with a move for Bologna and Italy star Riccardo Calafiori in the summer transfer window.

The central defender shone brightly in Serie A last season, before impressing for his nation at Euro 2024 this summer.

Italy have, however, suffered a very disappointing round of 16 exit at the ongoing major tournament in Germany.

The defending champions won one, drew one and lost one of their Group B matches to secure a clash with Switzerland in the knockout stages.

But it was the Swiss who emerged victorious in Germany, running out 2-0 winners to send Italy home in miserable fashion.

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Bologna want Premier League move for Liverpool-linked Riccardo Calafiori

The exit may, however, be a blessing in disguise for Calafiori, who can now focus on his club future ahead of the new season.

He has been attracting the interest of several clubs, one of which is Liverpool, who have made an enquiry for the centre-back.

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And the Reds have now been handed a boost in their pursuit of the 22-year-old, with the Mirror reporting that Bologna would prefer to sell Calafiori to an English club as opposed to Juventus, who are also interested.

Liverpool have an ace up their sleeve in Sepp van den Berg

Bologna will undoubtedly be keen to keep hold of the young star, particularly having just lost Thiago Motta.

The manager has made a switch to Serie A rivals Juventus, with Bologna understandably not wanting a repeat of that situation with Calafiori.

READ MORE: Everything to know about Liverpool’s 2024 pre-season schedule

The left-footed central defender was a key player as the club clinched a superb fifth-place finish last time out, thus securing Champions League football.

He made 37 appearances in all competitions, with those displays attracting interest from many of Europe’s top clubs.

Liverpool could, however, have an advantage in any potential deal for the player, with Bologna keen on Reds defender Sepp van den Berg.

The Italian club have identified the centre-back as a replacement for Calafiori, with a swap deal surely on the cards between the two clubs if Bologna decide that Van den Berg is their man.

The 22-year-old’s future at Anfield is up in the air, with the centre-back having just finished his third loan spell away from Merseyside, this time at Mainz.