It wouldn't be an overreaction to say that this season has been something of a disaster for Liverpool.
Sure, Arne Slot's side are still in with a chance of winning the FA Cup and maybe even the Champions League, but the defence of their Premier League title has been over for some time.
Worse yet, one of their top summer targets, Marc Guehi, has agreed to join Manchester City.
Marc Guehi
However, it's not all doom and gloom, as if reports are to be believed, Liverpool have identified someone who could be a dream alternative, someone who has been compared to William Saliba.
Liverpool target Guehi alternative
Liverpool went big in the summer, spending an enormous sum of money to land the likes of Hugo Ekitiké, Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak.
It also looked like they had secured the services of Guehi on deadline day, only for Crystal Palace to pull the plug at the last minute.
In the following months, the Englishman was still being linked with the Reds, but also the likes of Arsenal and City, who he eventually joined this month.
Now, missing out on a defender of Guehi's quality is far from ideal, but fans shouldn't fret too much, as it looks like the club are moving for someone who'd be a great alternative.
At least that is according to a recent report from TEAMtalk, which claims Liverpool are interested in Alessandro Bastoni.
In fact, it gets better for the Merseysiders, as the report has revealed that the Italian international would be open to leaving Inter Milan this year.
It's not clear just how much the centre-back would cost, but Liverpool were reportedly plotting an £87m move for him towards the back end of the year.
Inter Milan's Alessandro Bastoni
Even so, Bastoni is just the sort of player that Liverpool should be going big on, especially as he'd be a perfect Guehi alternative.
Why Bastoni would be a good Guehi alternative
Now, something that Guehi does have over Bastoni is experience and knowledge of the Premier League.
marc-guehi-crystal-palace
After all, the Englishman has made 152 appearances in the competition, in which he has scored eight goals and provided seven assists.
However, just because the Italian hasn't played in England does not mean he is inexperienced.
In fact, the Inter star has even more top-level football under his belt than the former Chelsea gem.
For example, the 26-year-old has made 228 appearances in Serie A for Inter, Atalanta and Parma and has also made 52 appearances in the Champions League.
alessandro-bastoni-inter-milan
If that wasn't enough, he's also won 41 senior caps for Italy, compared to the City man's 26 for England, and even played a small part in the country's triumph at EURO 2020.
In addition to his impressive experience, the Casalmaggiore-born titan is also someone who, like Guehi and Saliba, thrives with the ball at his feet.
In fact, in October 2024, content creator Nieve Petruzziello claimed that the Italian centre-back is "as good as Van Dijk and Saliba" in this regard.
That might sound hyperbolic, but when you take a look at his underlying numbers, you realise it really isn't.
Bastoni's Scout Report
Statistics
Assists
xA: Expected Assists
Key Passes
Passes into Penalty Area
Crosses into Penalty Area
Crosses
Shot-Creating Actions
Carries into Final Third
Carries into Penalty Area
Progressive Carries
Goal-Creating Actions
Tackles (Att 3rd)
Carries
All Stats via FBref
According to FBref, he ranks in the top 1% of centre-backs in Europe's top five leagues for assists, key passes, crosses, passes into the penalty area, carries into the final third and more, all per 90.
In other words, the Italian monster can do all the dirty work a defender needs to do, but can and will also play a significant role in a team's buildup play, much like the Gunners' star centre-back does.
Ultimately, it won't be an easy deal to get done, but Liverpool should do all they can to sign Bastoni this year, as he'd be the perfect alternative, if no outright upgrade, to Guehi.
Liverpool HUGHES Related
["This player is 20 years old" - Liverpool lining up secret January signing](https://www.footballfancast.com/liverpool-transfer-news-breno-bidon-secret-january-signing/ ""This player is 20 years old" - Liverpool lining up secret January signing")
The Reds are yet to make a signing this month.