"It is not a surprise to us" – Club's sporting director breaks silence as Liverpool scout star at Euro 2024

Bologna sporting director Marco Di Vaio has opened up on recent transfer interest in Liverpool target Riccardo Calafiori, who has impressed at the UEFA Euro 2024.

Calafiori, 22, helped Bologna secure a UEFA Champions League spot in the 2023-24 season. He transformed himself into a centre-back under Thiago Motta's helm and helped the Serie A club register 16 clean sheets in 33 appearances across all competitions last term.

Earlier this month, The Athletic reported that Liverpool are interested in adding the left-footed defender to their ranks this summer. However, the Reds are set to face competition from the likes of Newcastle United, Brighton & Hove Albion, and West Ham United.

During a recent chat with Italian outlet Libero, Di Vaio was queried to offer his two cents on Calafiori's demand in the market right now. Addressing the speculations, he replied (h/t DaveOCKOP):

"It is confirmation that Bologna is working well and doing the right things. It is not a surprise to us. We know Calafiori well and we have been following him for years. The European Championships will have a significant boost on his value but the intention is to keep all of our players, including Calalfiori."

Should Calafiori decide to move to Arne Slot's outfit this summer, he would pop up as a vital squad member for them. He would likely be rotated with Ibrahima Konate to act as a partner to captain Virgil van Dijk.

Calafiori, who has registered two goals and five assists for Bologna, has started all three of Italy's Euro 2024 games. He has helped them qualify for the last-16 stage and has provided one assist from defence.

Liverpool keeping tabs on Belgian attacker

In his Daily Briefing column for Caught Offside, journalist Fabrizio Romano claimed that Liverpool are interested in roping in PSV Eindhoven star Johan Bakayoko. He wrote (h/t Empire of the Kop):

"Arsenal are also being linked with Johan Bakayoko by some outlets, while names like Chelsea and Liverpool have also come up, but I'm told nothing is concrete yet for Bakayoko. Many clubs are following the exciting young Belgian winger, but no club has reached out to PSV Eindhoven yet, so we need to be patient."

Bakayoko, 21, relished a breakout season at PSV in the 2023-24 term, registering 14 goals and 14 assists in 48 matches in all competitions.

The Liverpool target, who has featured in 14 games for Belgium so far, has made two appearances for his national team at the Euro 2024.