Chelsea still have the chance to sign one of their targets this summer, though it looks like one of their rivals have already made a move for him.
It has been a busy week for Chelsea in the transfer market, with the club recently announcing the arrival of Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall from Leicester City.
The midfielder joins Tosin Adarabioyo, who signed for the Blues from Fulham last month, at Stamford Bridge.
Adarabioyo arrives to give Enzo Maresca another option in central defence.
However, Chelsea may not be done with strengthening their backline just yet.
Chelsea still in the race for central defender
While Chelsea have Adarabioyo, Benoit Badiashile, Levi Colwill, Axel Disasi, Wesley Fofana and Trevoh Chalobah for the centre-back positions, they could still add another one to their squad before the transfer window closes.
According to TuttoJuve, Chelsea are interested in Bologna’s Riccardo Calafiori.
And while Arsenal also have the 22-year-old on their radar, the same outlet claims that the Gunners have just seen a €47m (£39.8) bid for him turned down by the Champions League club.
It means their London rivals still have an opportunity to land him this summer.
The arrival of Calafiori would surely see Chalobah depart. It has been claimed that Chelsea have already offered the 25-year-old in a swap deal for another centre-half.
Are Bologna going to lose Riccardo Calafiori this summer?
Bologna may have just rejected a bid for Calafiori, but supporters of the Italian club will not be getting too excited just yet.
It would not be a surprise to see Arsenal, Chelsea or perhaps even both teams make a bigger offer for Calafiori in the coming days.
He is a very versatile defender who just proved himself at Euro 2024.
The Italy international, who can play at both centre-back and left-back, was one of the best performers for his country in what was a disappointing tournament for them overall.
According to WhoScored, Calafiori averaged two interceptions per game across the three matches he played, the most in Luciano Spalletti’s squad.
At some point this summer, Bologna probably are going to lose Calafiori.
- READ MORE: ‘Fantastic’ Chelsea player can prove that they don’t actually need to sign Riccardo Calafiori
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