Amidst speculation over Vitinha's switch to Real Madrid in a £100 million deal, Italy's Riccardo Calafiori is also said to be on the radar of Florentino Pérez. The Spanish giants have already made contact with the player's camp, he claimed.
It was noted football transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano who claimed that the Arsenal defender is being tracked by Pérez. The 24-year-old is versatile, as he can operate as a left-back as well as a centre-back.
While Mikel Arteta has been using him on the left side of his backline more often, Real Madrid are likely to use him more as a centre-back. In the backdrop of David Alaba leaving, Los Blancos signed Ibrahima Konaté on a free transfer. However, constant fitness issues for Éder Militão, Antonio Rüdiger, and Ferland Mendy mean the team needs more defensive cover.
Álvaro Carreras has impressed in the left-back position at Real Madrid. The presence of Fran García and Mendy means Calafiori is being shortlisted as a potential backup to Konaté and Raúl Asencio.
“Real Madrid are not done with defenders,” Fabrizio Romano reportedly said on his YouTube channel. “The situation is linked to the centre-back and left-back position... At centre-back, the idea at Real Madrid is if there’s an opportunity for a player who can help as a centre-back and left-back – and Riccardo Calafiori is that profile – for Real Madrid it could be an interesting option to follow in the market,” he claimed.
The Premier League champions' current deal runs to June 2026 after his arrival at the Emirates Stadium from Bologna in 2024. The left-footed player has made 65 appearances for the Gunners across competitions. He has four goals and five assists to his credit. There was no information on how much money Real Madrid are willing to pay for the Italian.
