Real Madrid interested in Tottenham’s £42m transfer target, reports

Tottenham Hotspur’s pursuit of Riccardo Calafiori has become significantly more difficult as La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that Real Madrid has now entered the race for the Bologna star.

The report from La Gazzetta dello Sport highlights that Juventus, Spurs, and Arsenal had previously shown interest in the 22-year-old Italian defender.

However, with Real Madrid now eyeing Calafiori as a potential replacement for Nacho Fernandez, the competition for his signature has intensified. Juventus is reportedly growing concerned as the race for the young talent heats up, particularly with the entry of the Spanish giants.

Bologna's asking price for Calafiori has risen from €40m (£34m) to €50m (around £42m), partly due to a 40% sell-on clause owed to his former club, Basel. This price hike might be manageable for clubs like Spurs and Arsenal but could be too steep for Juventus.

Bologna, aware of the increasing interest, is expected to bide their time and encourage as many offers as possible to maximize their return on the promising center-back.

Calafiori is currently on duty with Italy at the European Championships, where his team has advanced to the quarter-finals following a win over Switzerland. His performances on this stage have only heightened the interest from top European clubs, adding more fuel to the transfer speculation.

READ MORE: Three clubs set to start bidding war for Tottenham defender

Real Madrid interested in Tottenham’s £42m transfer target

Given Tottenham’s current priorities, it seems unlikely they will engage in a bidding war for Calafiori, especially with Real Madrid now in the mix. Spurs have other pressing needs in different areas of their squad, and splashing over £40m on another center-back might not be the best strategic move for them this summer.

While Calafiori is undoubtedly a talented player, Tottenham may need to allocate their resources more efficiently to address their broader squad requirements.

Bologna's strategy to wait for multiple offers could lead to a competitive bidding war among top European clubs. This scenario might be beneficial for Bologna but could price Tottenham out of the race. Spurs fans may have to come to terms with the fact that Calafiori is more likely to end up at a club willing to meet Bologna’s high valuation.

With Real Madrid now in the fray for Calafiori, should Tottenham shift their focus to other transfer targets, or is the Italian defender worth the hefty price tag?