Chelsea Make Salary Offer To Defender Wanted By Juventus, Arsenal and Bayer Leverkusen

Chelsea have joined the race for Bologna defender Riccardo Calafiori who has attracted interest from the likes of Juventus, Arsenal and Bayer Leverkusen. The 22 year-old has gained a lot of interest thanks to his impressive performances for the Italian national team during their Euro 2024 campaign. He is being monitored by a number of clubs, which now includes the Blues.

Chelsea have, according to Italian football reporter Alfredo Pedulla, made a salary offer to the defender in an attempt to steer him away from interest coming from Juventus. It had previously been reported that Calafiori was keen on remaining in the Serie A by moving to Juventus, however the transfer seems to be faltering which could give Chelsea the green light to swoop in.

Calafiori has been with Bologna for one season after signing from Swiss side Basel in August 2023. He plays mainly as a centre back, but has also made appearances on the left hand side for club and country. He played in every minute of Italy’s Euro 2024 campaign before they were knocked out in the round of 16 and boasts a lot of experience for a player that is only 22.

How would Calafiori fit into the Chelsea squad?

With the departure of Thiago Silva at the end of the season, it leaves a big hole in Enzo Maresca’s defence leaving just a handful of central defenders, many of which lack the experience to be thrust into the starting XI. Calafiori would likely start for the Blues if he was to sign, assuming that Maresca doesn’t make another signing to replace Silva.

What kind of fee will it take to sign the defender?

The Blues would have to fork out upwards of £35 million for the defender as Bologna are reluctant to let him go after just a season. However, for a club with big financial backing such as Chelsea, if they are as keen as reported on the 22 year-old, then this isn’t a fee that should scare them away from making a move.