Tottenham Hotspur are expected to loosen their purse strings this summer, with Ange Postecoglou determined to reinforce key areas of his squad.
Bolstering the defensive department is firmly at the top of the Australian’s to-do list, and Spurs have already begun identifying some potential targets ahead of the summer transfer window.
TMW have credited Spurs with an interest in Bologna centre-back Riccardo Calafiori, and we believe the north Londoners must be proactive in the race for the highly-rated defender.
Calafiori would be a perfect understudy for Van de Ven
Calafiori has become a hot commodity in Serie A, and Tottenham are eager to join the chase for the young Italian defender.
The 21-year-old’s impressive displays for Bologna haven’t gone under the radar, with several European giants, including Juventus, monitoring his situation.
Calafiori has been instrumental in Bologna’s unlikely push for Champions League qualification. He has racked up 26 appearances in Serie A this season, chipping in with three assists.
However, it’s his defensive statistics that truly paint a picture of a promising talent.
The youngster has kept eight clean sheets while averaging 1.6 interceptions, 1.5 tackles, 6.7 ball recoveries, and 2.3 clearances per match.
He’s also a force to be reckoned with in the air, winning a staggering 74% of his aerial duels.
Combine that with a 55% success rate in ground duels, and you have a well-rounded defender who thrives in both ground battles and aerial challenges.
Calafiori’s ability to play comfortably at both left-back and centre-back adds more value to his potential acquisition.
He could provide valuable cover for Destiny Udogie at left-back, but more importantly, he’d be the perfect understudy for injury-plagued Micky van de Ven in central defence.
Van de Ven’s blossoming partnership with Cristian Romero has solidified Tottenham’s backline. However, his susceptibility to injuries makes a reliable backup crucial.
That’s where Calafiori comes in. With a similar skillset and young age, the highly rated Italian could be the ideal solution for Postecoglou.
Spurs will face stiff competition from Juventus, but they’re no strangers to shopping in Serie A after signing Radu Dragusin and Guglielmo Vicario from Genoa and Empoli, respectively.