Liverpool are closing in on talented Rennes defender Jeremy Jacquet and ex-Red Jermaine Pennant believes they should make Alessandro Bastoni their next signing
Alessandro Bastoni
Jermaine Pennant believes Liverpool should target Alessandro Bastoni for their next transfer(Image: Inter via Getty Images)
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Jermaine Pennant believes Liverpool should target Inter Milan defender Alessandro Bastoni after the arrival of Jeremy Jacquet.
The Reds are closing in on the 20-year-old's signature after beating Chelsea and Manchester United to his signature. The Rennes star was the subject of strong interest from the Londoners before the Reds swooped in and agreed a £55million deal plus £5m in add-ons ahead of a summer move. Jacquet's summer arrival will not solve the Reds' immediate problems at the back, with Giovanni Leoni, Conor Bradley, Joe Gomez and Jeremie Frimpong sidelined through injury.
Liverpool have a conundrum on their hands with Ibrahima Konate set to depart at the end of the season, if his contract situation isn't resolved. Meanwhile, captain Virgil van Dijk has just over 12 months remaining on his contract in the summer after penning a two-year deal last season.
Pennant says Jacquet comes highly-regarded but while there are questions about whether he can do it, he sees it as an exciting signing.
He exclusively told the ECHO speaking on behalf of BetSelect.co.uk: "Initial reaction is good because we need defenders. I know it's not in January [that he's signing] but we don't know the situation with [Ibrahima] Konate so we are going to be left light. The fact that we've already got one in before the summer window, we're not running and chasing, we're on the front foot, it's good.
"It's his first season, so there's still going to be a lot of questions. I know there's a lot people raving about him. There's still gonna be a lot of questions, 'can he do it in the Premier League?' We are still yet to see that. But it's a signing, everyone likes new signings.
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“I don't think he'll be a starter straight away, especially if Konate is still there. I think this is more for the future. Yes, he'll have a big part to play next season, I'm sure, but to be a regular star, I don t know.
"But saying that, he could have a fantastic pre-season, he could maybe get the nod in the first game of season and then claim that spot. So, I think there is still questions to be asked then. We probably will find out what part he is going to play in the squad next season.
"But I think this signing is potentially, it could be, you know, a starter straight way, or it could to rejuvenate the team with when Giovanni Leoni comes back. That could be the kind of future where we're going.”
Liverpool did look to add reinforcements late on in the winter window but failed in their efforts to sign Lutsharel Geertruida after his move from RB Leipzig was blocked due to Sunderland's inability to source a replacement for the utility man.
Arne Slot should have Leoni back in time for pre-season ahead of the 2026/27 season. Pennant says there is another Italian stopper that he would like to see join the club in 26-year-old, Bastoni.
He said: “I also like the sound and I like the looks of Bastoni at Inter Milan. I think he's a player that can play across the back, he can play left back, we've seen him play left-back for Inter Milan and he's also playing there as centre-back as well and that's where we're looking at and if we look at the way Liverpool play, the defenders do have a lot of time on the ball because everyone sits back and does that low block.
"I think if we've got defenders who are good on the ball, brings the ball coming forward, out of possession, good passing range, I think that would help us a lot. Konate kind of struggles when it comes to that kind of area of the technical ability side of things. So Bastoni would probably be a good addition.”