West Ham United make approach for Riccardo Calafiori transfer in new developments
West Ham United have made an enquiry about signing Bologna star Riccardo Calafiori this summer, according to David Ornstein.
Writing on The Athletic website (18 June), the reliable journalist reports that the Hammers have opened talks about signing the Italy international while Liverpool, Newcastle and Brighton have also got an interest in the 22-year-old.
Bologna want to keep the centre-back and hope the lure of Champions League football with them will be enough to keep him, having just started for Italy against Albania at EURO 2024.
West Ham need new defenders, Julen Lopetegui knows it
After sealing a deal for Luis Guilherme early in the transfer window, it seems now that the Hammers have turned their attention to strengthening the defence.
The club have held talks with Mats Hummels‘ agent [HITC, 17 June], made contact with Ryan Sessegnon [Guardian, 17 June] and started talks with Wolves for Max Kilman [Fabrizio Romano, 18 June] and it’s clear that the plan is to bolster centre-back in particular.
Kurt Zouma could leave and there are question marks about the future of Nayef Aguerd [Hakim Zhouri, 11 May], leaving Lopetegui needing to bolster his squad.
Calafiori would be a real coup for the club considering his outstanding performances in the 2023/24 season helped Bologna to a fifth-placed finish and Champions League football.
He is currently featuring for Italy at Euro 2024 too, playing 90 minutes during their 2-1 win over Albania in the tournament opener, so Hammers fans should keep their eyes peeled for a potential new player.
In other West Ham news, Julen Lopetegui is insisting that the club sign this Barcelona star this summer.
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