SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 12: Riccardo Calafiori of Arsenal arrives at the stadium before the Premier League 2026/27 match between Sunderland...
SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 12: Riccardo Calafiori of Arsenal arrives at the stadium before the Premier League 2026/27 match between Sunderland and Arsenal FC at Stadium of Light on September 12, 2026 in Sunderland, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
Juventus are seemingly turning to Liverpool’s Giovanni Leoni amid a belief that Arsenal’s Riccardo Calafiori is unattainable, according to a report.
Riccardo Calafiori of Italy inspects the pitch before with teammates before the UEFA Nations League 2026/27 group phase match between Türkiye and Italy at Atatürk Spor Kompleksi Matli Stadyumu on September 28, 2026 in Bursa, Turkey. (Photo by Ahmad Mora/Getty Images)
Riccardo Calafiori of Italy inspects the pitch before with teammates before the UEFA Nations League 2026/27 group phase match between Türkiye and Italy at Atatürk Spor Kompleksi Matli Stadyumu on September 28, 2026 in Bursa, Turkey. (Photo by Ahmad Mora/Getty Images)
Italian outlet La Gazzetta dello Sport report that Serie A side Juventus are looking to snap up more Italian talent in future transfer windows, and they’re targeting a number of players currently contract to Premier League clubs.
Juventus’ shortlist includes Guglielmo Vicario (already on loan at Juventus from Tottenham Hotspur), Liverpool’s Giovanni Leoni, and Brentford’s Michael Kayode.
Yet despite holding an interest in Riccardo Calafiori, they won’t be pursuing a move for the Arsenal defender.
Riccardo Calafiori of Arsenal FC during the pre-season friendly match between Arsenal FC and Real Betis Balompie at Aviva Stadium on August 05, 2026 in Dublin, Ireland. (Photo by Evan Treacy/Getty Images)
Riccardo Calafiori of Arsenal FC during the pre-season friendly match between Arsenal FC and Real Betis Balompie at Aviva Stadium on August 05, 2026 in Dublin, Ireland. (Photo by Evan Treacy/Getty Images)
According to the report, Calafiori is now considered out of reach due to his status at Arsenal and the likely price tag.
By contrast, Juventus continue to look into Leoni’s situation, evidently believing they can eventually convince Liverpool to sell despite the club’s reluctance to negotiate up to now.
Juventus plan to have scouts watching Leoni on a weekly basis, when he eventually returns from his ACL injury.
CARDIFF, WALES - AUGUST 16: Riccardo Calafiori of Arsenal scores his team’s first goal during the 2026 FA Community Shield match between Arsenal and Manchester City at Principality Stadium on August 16, 2026 in Cardiff, Wales. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
CARDIFF, WALES - AUGUST 16: Riccardo Calafiori of Arsenal scores his team’s first goal during the 2026 FA Community Shield match between Arsenal and Manchester City at Principality Stadium on August 16, 2026 in Cardiff, Wales. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
Juventus aren’t the first big club to show an interest in Calafiori, only to give up and turn to other targets. The same thing happened with Real Madrid over the summer, as they ultimately pivoted to Chelsea’s Marc Cucurella.
Reports at the time suggested Arsenal wanted £86m for Calafiori, and if that was too much for Real Madrid, it was always likely to be too much for Juventus.
CARDIFF, WALES - AUGUST 16: Riccardo Calafiori and Gabriel Magalhaes of Arsenal celebrate after the 2026 FA Community Shield match between Arsenal and Manchester City at Principality Stadium on August 16, 2026 in Cardiff, Wales. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
CARDIFF, WALES - AUGUST 16: Riccardo Calafiori and Gabriel Magalhaes of Arsenal celebrate after the 2026 FA Community Shield match between Arsenal and Manchester City at Principality Stadium on August 16, 2026 in Cardiff, Wales. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)