Liverpool are eyeing a $45 million move for the defender axed by Jose Mourinho

Liverpool’s search for defensive reinforcements has led them to Euro 2024, Riccardo Calafiori.

He is highly respected by his former boss at AS Roma, Jose Mourinho. The former Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham boss took over at Roma in July 2021, leading the Italian side to their first European title – the Conference League – 10 months later.

Calafiori was on Roma’s roster when Mourinho landed in Italy but they did not see eye to eye and he was eventually transferred to Basel in Switzerland that same year. Even so, there appears to be regret over his departure in the corridors of the Stadio Olimpico, with both Roma and Mourinho holding the Liverpool transfer target in high regard.

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This buzz comes amid murmurs linking him with Premier League pair Liverpool and Arsenal. The £45million-rated defender says he maintains a good relationship with the Portuguese coach, who was seen on Instagram scouting Calafiori upon his initial arrival in Rome.

Speaking to Sportweek via Mirror Football, Calafiori revealed: “Mourinho? I also started quite well with him. Then there was the match against Bodo, in which we lost 6-1. From there, things went downhill.

“He benched me and decided to rely on others, but my need and desire was to play. It was his choice, of course, but I’ll tell you something too. Mou and I are talking; he wrote me several messages and there is a nice relationship between us”.

Calafiori joined Bologna for the bargain price of around $5 million. He certainly had a hand in helping Thiago Motta’s men secure their historic place in the Champions League last season. However, Roma are not complaining, as they will receive 40 percent if he reaches the Premier League thanks to a clause written into his contract.

Calafiori wasted no time in singing Mourinho’s praises when speaking to the media recently, pointing out: “Mourinho forged my character and personality, while with Thiago Motta, I tried things that tactically I’ve never seen.

“At Bologna we train defensive solidity, and it shows in the game: it is the sign of a united team. Motta has in common with Mourinho that he demands 200 percent from you in every training session and that he makes his choices. looking at what you put on the field”.

If the bittersweet reactions of his former associates are anything to go by, Mourinho clearly believes Calafiori is very well. If he ends up in a Liverpool shirt – or any English club – it wouldn’t be a surprise.