Liverpool have identified a couple of top defensive targets to pursue this summer, but Barcelona are shopping in the same aisle.
It’s shaping up to be a busy window for the Reds, who have plenty of gaps to fill before even considering the possible departures of Ibrahima Konate and Mohamed Salah.
Centre-back is a position of importance, and Liverpool have long-admired Alessandro Bastoni to come in and eventually succeed Virgil van Dijk. On the younger end, Tottenham’s Luka Vuskovic is on the radar.
As it so happens, Barcelona are looking at both as well.
Take your pick between two of our biggest moments in recent memory 🙌
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Fabrizio Romano on Barcelona’s interest in Alessandro Bastoni and Luka Vuskovic
It’s rare enough to identify a target that other top clubs aren’t also looking at. The pool of talent for the top level isn’t that big.
Liverpool will have to fend off interest from the champions of Spain if they’re serious about either Bastoni or Vuskovic.
On Bastoni, Romano tells his YouTube audience: “So, talking about Barcelona, who is the dream target for the summer? Yeah, one of the dream targets for sure and the players really appreciate it in terms of defenders is Alessandro Bastoni. They love Alessandro Bastoni at Barcelona.”
Alessandro Bastoni of Inter during the serie A match between
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The transfer guru goes on to outline the potential challenges of signing the Inter Milan centre-back — namely the fee tied to him. Liverpool know they’d have to spend big to get him out of Serie A.
As for 19-year-old Vuskovic, he is someone who is on the radar of many top clubs in Europe, and the speculation will only grow as Spurs slip down into the relegation zone.
Barcelona are named as an admirer, but far from the only ones. Romano explains: “On Vuskovic guys, I will tell you more next week. At this stage, I can tell you that it is not only Barcelona, giant clubs around Europe.
“And remember he is owned by Tottenham. He’s a Tottenham player, but all the top clubs in Europe are basically interested in Luka. So, I think it’s going to be a long race, but for sure there are several clubs following the player.”
Barcelona and Liverpool are sure to be at loggerheads over one or both of the aforementioned targets.
Bastoni would be an amazing Liverpool signing. He’s a world-class, ball-playing centre-back in his prime — one of the few players who could realistically take the mantle from the current captain.
Which category does Virgil van Dijk rank in the best centre-backs in football history?
Is he even better than Maldini? 😱
Virgil van Dijk celebrates Alexis Mac Allister scoring for Liverpool against Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League at Anfield (Credit: Getty Images/Chris Brunskill/Fantasista).
Photo credit: Getty Images/Chris Brunskill/Fantasista
As for Vuskovic, it’s a bit of a strange one. Liverpool have their young duo at the back in Jeremy Jacquet and Giovanni Leoni. It doesn’t make a whole lot of sense to bring another teenager to Anfield — especially if a long transfer battle is on the cards.
Whatever the case, this won’t be the last time these two European giants are mentioned in the same breath, with both desperate to bolster their defence ahead of next season.
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