According to Spanish newspaper AS, Real Madrid have joined the chase for Italian defensive prodigy Calafiori. The Bologna centre-back impressed during the European Championship, not only with a stunning individual run to assist his team’s advancement but also with his strong defensive capabilities throughout the tournament, attracting the attention of several top clubs, including Real Madrid.
Calafiori’s football career has been dramatic. After a 1-6 defeat against Bodo/Glimt on October 21, 2021, Roma manager Jose Mourinho blamed Calafiori for the team’s loss. He was subsequently loaned to Genoa and later transferred to Basel for €1.5 million. After a single season with the Swiss team, Bologna spotted his potential and acquired him in 2023 for approximately €4 million. Now, that number is likely to be ten times higher.
While Bologna has high hopes for Calafiori, expecting him to help the team compete in the Champions League, they have not completely ruled out the possibility of selling him. Especially after his impressive performance at the Euros, Bologna has set his price at €40 million. Juventus, Real Madrid, and Arsenal have all expressed strong interest, with Juventus even proposing a player exchange deal, but Bologna insists on not lowering the price, especially considering that they need to pay 40% of the transfer fee to Basel after selling Calafiori.
With Calafiori continuing to deliver outstanding performances at the European Championship – despite being suspended for the round of 16 match against Switzerland – his transfer value is expected to rise further. The interest from big clubs like Real Madrid adds more speculation and anticipation to the future of this promising Italian defender.
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