Liverpool have been encouraged to disrupt Arsenal’s deal for Italian defender Riccardo Calafiori.
Liverpool Encouraged to Disrupt Arsenal’s Pursuit of Italian Defender Riccardo Calafiori
The Gunners are nearing the completion of a deal for Calafiori, who impressed at Euro 2024 despite Italy’s disappointing last-16 exit to Switzerland.
Calafiori, who is versatile enough to play both centre-back and left-back, also impressed during the 2023-24 season for Bologna, making 33 appearances as the Serie A side secured qualification for the Champions League.
Arsenal seem poised to sign the 22-year-old for around £42 million, but former Anfield star Didi Hamann has advised Liverpool to make a late move for Calafiori.
Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate have established a formidable centre-back partnership at Liverpool, but Hamann believes Calafiori would become a starter if he joined the club this summer.
‘Riccardo Calafiori is a very talented player and is extremely comfortable on the ball. It’s no surprise that when he missed Italy’s match against Switzerland, they performed poorly,’ Hamann told Top Offshore Casinos.
‘Their performance was dreadful from start to finish. That came after he provided the assist for the last-minute equaliser against Croatia.
‘I think Virgil van Dijk has expressed his desire to stay and work alongside his fellow countryman Arne Slot. He wants to help Slot restore Liverpool’s success.
‘Ibrahima Konate is a brilliant defender but is frequently injured, so Calafiori would be an excellent addition, depending on the cost.
‘He is certainly a player who would start for Liverpool given his performances for both club and country last season.
‘He is the type of player who strengthens your team, and that is crucial when aiming to compete for trophies.’
Arne Slot will take charge of Liverpool next season after the former Feyenoord boss replaced Jurgen Klopp at Anfield.
Hamann, who played a key role in Liverpool’s 2005 Champions League triumph, believes Slot faces an ‘almost impossible task’ in his first year on Merseyside.
‘It’s comparable to Arsene Wenger leaving Arsenal and Sir Alex Ferguson leaving Manchester United, but someone has to do it,’ he added.
‘Some managers may have been deterred because following Klopp is an almost impossible challenge. However, it is an opportunity, a chance for Arne Slot.
‘He probably thought that if he turned it down, he might never get another chance to manage Liverpool.
‘So he is entitled to take the job and have confidence in his abilities, and so far he has said all the right things. I am impressed by what I have seen.
‘Initially, I thought it wouldn’t matter who took over because next season would be nearly impossible. But the more I think about it, and the more I hear and see from him, the more confident I am because he seems like a very humble and genuine person.
‘I think managing expectations will be his biggest challenge. It is very difficult because if the fans expect a top-three finish or a trophy, it is hard to make them think otherwise.
‘However, I believe expectations may be too high for what they can realistically achieve next season.’