Liverpool will reportedly have to pay “huge money” to complete the signing of Inter Milan and Italy centre-back Alessandro Bastoni this summer.
The Reds continue to be linked with central defenders, with at least one new fresh face needed alongside Rennes youngster Jeremy Jacquet at the end of the season.
Various players have been mentioned as targets for Liverpool, including Borussia Dortmund’s Nico Schlotterbeck and Bastoni, and now a fresh claim has emerged regarding the latter.
According to Football Insider, “huge money” will need to be spent on the 26-year-old by the Reds if they are to have a chance of signing him in the summer transfer window.
The report says that “bids in excess of £80m will be required just to bring Inter to the negotiating table”, so Liverpool will need to break the bank for his signature, amid interest from other top clubs.
The Reds have “held a long-term interest” in Bastoni, but “sources say that their ability to sign him this summer depends on whether he is keen to explore a new challenge in his career”, which remains to be seen.
Alessandro Bastoni a superb summer option for Liverpool
Bastoni are arguably among Europe’s leading centre-backs currently, helping Inter reach the Champions League final last season and sitting on the verge of winning the Serie A title this time around.
He will also likely start for Italy at the upcoming 2026 World Cup, while young Barcelona defender Pau Cubarsi has waxed lyrical over him, saying; “Yes, he’s a spectacular centre-back. I’ve only seen him play a few times, but we all know the level he’s at.”
Whether Bastoni decides to actually leave Inter is perhaps the biggest obstacle standing in his way, having already racked up 293 appearances for the Serie A giants, but he is a fantastic centre-back, and it’s easy to see why so many clubs are eyeing him up.
If he does decide that he wants a new challenge, however, he is at the ideal point in his career to come in and be an instant hit for Liverpool, having lots of experience but still being young enough to be a fulcrum of the Reds’ team for the next six or seven years.