Liverpool are on the lookout for a centre-back to improve their first-team squad.
The Reds have some good options in defence already, but after Joel Matip’s exit at the end of the season, one more is needed.
So far, the most credible links have come to Lille defender Leny Yoro. Yoro is reportedly seen as a ‘generational talent‘ who could be available in a one time only deal this summer.
However, with Yoro likely heading to Real Madrid, Liverpool will also need a back-up plan.
That could reportedly include the signing of Marc Guehi, who has once again been linked this week. Or perhaps it could contain bringing in a different centre-back, one more reminiscent of Guehi’s England partner, John Stones.
Liverpool make Riccardo Calafiori enquiry
Yoro would quite possibly be the dream signing for Liverpool at centre-back. The 18-year-old has the makings of an incredible player.
Having said that, the teenager may still need a little bit of developing before he’s fully ready to go into the Reds starting XI.
Although Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate are hopefully not going anywhere, a new player would need to challenge both – or more likely just Konate – for a spot in the side.
One man who looks like being a candidate to do that is Bologna centre-back Riccardo Calafiori. Calafiori had an excellent season with Bologna, helping them into next year’s Champions League.
READ MORE: One player Liverpool should look to sign from every Euro 2024 squad including Riccardo Calafiori
The 22-year-old backed this up with a major tournament debut for Italy on Saturday which was labelled ‘extraordinary’ by World Cup winner Gianluca Zambrotta [TuttomercatoWeb].
And according to The Athletic, Calafiori has now caught the attention of Liverpool. They claim that the Reds have now made an enquiry for the left-footed centre-back.
Predictably, they are not alone in their interest of Calafiori. Newcastle, Brighton and West Ham are all claimed to have had the same idea as Liverpool.
Furthermore, a separate article from The Athletic on Tuesday reports that Juventus want to reunite him with former Bologna boss Thiago Motta, while Bayern Munich and Manchester City are hovering, too. Bologna are reportedly keen to keep Calafiori.
Riccardo Calafiori makes John Stones comparison
You can understand why City would be interested in Calafiori. Having used Stones so successfully over he past eight years, Pep Guardiola may be now looking for the ideal successor to the Yorkshireman.
As per Calafiori himself, he may be the man best placed to pick up Stones’ crown as a ball-playing, roaming centre-back.
“Stones is my reference,” the Roma academy graduate says. “It’s not off-the-cuff when I go into midfield. It’s following the guidelines of the coach. He saw me in this role.”
While this is not necessarily a role Liverpool are used to putting to use, maybe it’s something for Arne Slot to bear in mind.
In our opinion, Calafiori could actually be the ideal signing for the Reds. They’ve seemingly been on the lookout for a left-footer for some time and he’s marking himself out as best in class.
One to keep an eye on during Euro 2024.
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