West Ham are one of a “number of Premier League clubs” who have “inquired” about Bologna defender Riccardo Calafiori, according to The Athletic.
The Hammers have reportedly joined Newcastle, Liverpool and Brighton in pursuing the Italian, who impressed in his first game at Euro 2024 against Albania last week.
Calafiori also had a good season at club level, helping Bologna finish 5th in Serie A, securing their spot in next season’s expanded Champions League.
His side may consider selling him if they receive an offer that is too good to turn down, but it doesn’t look like his first choice would be to join an English team.
West Ham are a club that Calafiori has an affinity with
When the defender was playing for Swiss club FC Basel back in 2022, he did express an interest in joining the Hammers:
“I have two images: going back to Italy, perhaps in Rome, or my dream would be to play in the Premier League. I really like West Ham or Chelsea.”
Calafiori has, of course, returned to his homeland to play for Bologna, but the chances of him leaving Italy are said to be rather low. The Athletic claim that Juventus are currently in “pole position” to sign the player due to the presence of his former coach Thiago Motta.
Are other centre-backs being pursued?
It has been reported that West Ham have been in contact with Wolves about buying Max Kilman. Manager Julen Lopetegui is a big fan of his former player and he is keen to bring him to the London Stadium.
The cost of recruiting the 27-year-old could prove to be prohibitive, though, with his asking price said to be around £40m to £45m. We shall see if the Irons can negotiate down the fee or if they decide to move on to alternative targets.
