Riccardo Calafiori – What’s Happening with the Young Italian Defender?
If you follow Serie A or Italy’s national team, you’ve probably seen the name Riccardo Calafiori pop up a lot lately. The 23‑year‑old left‑back has become a regular starter for his club and is knocking on the door for more Italy caps. In this article we’ll break down his career so far, look at his recent performances, and talk about the transfer buzz that’s swirling around him.
Career snapshot: from youth prodigy to Serie A regular
Calafiori started his football journey in the youth set‑up of Torino before moving to Inter Milan’s academy at 15. He made his senior debut for Inter in the 2020‑21 season, but it was his loan spell at Sassuolo that gave him a platform to shine. At Sassuolo he logged over 30 league minutes, showed solid defensive positioning and even chipped in with a couple of assists.
In the summer of 2023 Inter sold him to Atalanta, where he finally got consistent game time. Over the last two seasons he has played 58 Serie A matches, averaged 1.8 tackles per game, and contributed three assists. Those numbers earned him a call‑up to the Azzurri squad for the Euro 2024 qualifiers, where he made a brief cameo against Northern Ireland.
Current form and why clubs are watching
Right now Calafiori is in a good groove. In the first half of the 2025‑26 season he has a pass‑completion rate of 86% and has kept clean sheets in five of his last eight games. His speed down the flank allows Atalanta to transition quickly, and his crossing accuracy has improved – three of his six crosses this month have found a teammate inside the box.
What catches scouts’ eyes is his ability to read the game. He rarely gets caught out of position, and his interception stats are higher than most full‑backs in the league. That defensive reliability, combined with an eye for attack, makes him a hot commodity for clubs looking for a balanced left‑back.
Rumors are already linking him with a possible move to a bigger club. Juventus, Napoli and even a Premier League side have been mentioned as interested. The transfer market is still in its early stages, but if Calafiori keeps performing, a €25‑30 million move could become reality before the winter window closes.
For fans, the key takeaway is simple: Calafiori is a player on the rise. He’s getting more minutes, improving his stats, and catching the eye of big clubs. Keep an eye on his next matches – a standout performance could trigger a big transfer and possibly a regular spot in Italy’s starting eleven.
Bologna's Stance on Riccardo Calafiori Amid Arsenal's Interest and Juventus Block
Bologna's technical director, Giovanni Sartori, has made it clear that he intends to keep Riccardo Calafiori at the club, amidst interest from Arsenal and other teams. Calafiori has shown significant potential both at the club and international level. Sartori specifically ruled out any chance of selling him to Juventus, following the departure of coach Thiago Motta to the Turin club. With Calafiori's valuation set at £35 million, along with the potential departure of Joshua Zirkzee, Bologna faces key decisions this transfer window.
View More
