Whether Liverpool need another new centre-back this summer will depend completely on what happens with Ibrahima Konate and his contract situation.
The Frenchman is currently set to leave the Reds at the end of the season, and although Jeremy Jacquet has already been signed, another addition will be necessary in that scenario.
Latest reports confirm that Liverpool are still in talks with Konate over a new deal, but preparations are surely being put in place should the 26-year-old walk away.
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If he does, there have been claims that the Reds could make a big-money move for Micky van de Ven, Tottenham’s lightning-quick Dutchman. Meanwhile, Inter’s Alessandro Bastoni has previously been mentioned as a possible dream signing as well.
This summer promises to be a big one for both players, and journalist Fabrizio Romano has now offered an update to suggest that the two possible Liverpool targets could both be available for transfer at the right, very steep price.
Bastoni would cost ‘big’ fee, Van den Ven could leave too
Bastoni has once again been a key player for Inter this season as they sit 10 points clear at the top of Serie A.
Speaking on his YouTube channel on Wednesday, Romano addressed links to Barcelona, claiming they are unfounded for now. Meanwhile, while he admitted a deal with Inter would be ‘difficult,’ he did not shut the door on the possibility.
Micky van de Ven in action for Tottenham Hotspur during their UEFA Champions League match against Slavia Prague at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
Photo by Rob Newell – CameraSport via Getty Images
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“For Inter Bastoni is an absolutely crucial player, they would ask I think for big, big, big money,” said the transfer expert. “This is not an easy deal in terms of negotiations. At the moment there is an appreciation [from Barcelona] but nothing else.”
Meanwhile, Romano claimed that for Van de Ven, it will likely be one of the Dutchman or Cristian Romero who exits Spurs this summer.
“I think at Tottenham there is a situation to clarify with the centre-backs,” he said. “Now it’s time to fight to stay in the Premier League and try their best possible in the Champions League. But in the summer it’s going to be time to clarify the future of defenders.
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Micky van de Ven pictured during Tottenham Hotspurs' Premier League match against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park (Credit: Getty Images/Sebastian Frej).
Alessandro Bastoni warms up ahead of the Serie A match between Inter Milan and Torino at San Siro Stadium (Credit: Getty Images/Marco Luzzani).
Photo Credit: Getty Images/Sebastian Frej/Marco Luzzani
“Cuti Romero and or Micky van de Ven, I don’t see Tottenham selling both of them, but there is obviously a lot of attention in the players. Several clubs are following these situations.”
Bastoni is worth the money for Liverpool
If Liverpool are looking to go big on a centre-back who can replace Konate and immediately start next to Virgil van Dijk, then these two would be the outstanding options.
It is likely that similar money would need to be parted with in order to get them to sign, and in that respect Liverpool may see the younger Van de Ven as the more viable option.
However, in the opinion of RTK, Bastoni is the gold standard for centre-backs not named Virgil van Dijk in Europe at the moment.
Whatever fee Inter are looking for, it is likely that the 26-year-old would be worth it. An adaptation to the Premier League may be necessary, but for a player so talented in the art of defending, that should not be an especially long process.
It won’t be easy, but if we’re Liverpool, we’re throwing whatever we’ve got at Bastoni.
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