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Photo by Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Chelsea have apparently ‘thundered’ into the race to sign Inter Milan defender Alessandro Bastoni ahead of the January window – and below, we have the latest on the supposed interest.
Italy star Bastoni is widely considered one of the best defenders in Italian football, and has been for some time. The Inter Milan defender is one of the first names on the team sheet, regardless of manager.
It is not the first time Chelsea have been linked with Bastoni, either. Enzo Maresca dreamed of luring the Italian to Stamford Bridge while boss, with the Blues seeing a £43m bid rejected in the summer of 2025.
But Bastoni has entered the final two years of his contract, and according to TeamTalk, Chelsea are among the clubs pursuing a deal. Liverpool, Man City and Barcelona are also considering a move for Bastoni.
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Inter Milan’s stance on selling Alessandro Bastoni in January
No club wants to lose their best players mid-season. But Inter will be very aware that the Italy star’s deal ends in the summer of 2028, and the longer they leave it, his value will only decrease over time.
Chelsea monitoring Alessandro Bastoni
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CalcioMercato say Inter want an enormous €80m [£68m] for the defender’s services. An affordable fee for the likes of Liverpool, Chelsea and City, though City being found guilty of 114 charges may affect things.
Inter are hell-bent on securing Bastoni to a new contract, but at this stage in his career, the Italy star may want to try something new – hence not tying his future down with Luciano Spalletti’s Inter Milan.
Levi Colwill will be nervously looking over his shoulder at Chelsea
It is fair to say that in world football, there aren’t many better left-footed centre-backs than Bastoni. Levi Colwill, then, will be nervously looking over his shoulder given the England star’s poor start to the season.
Alonso needs to consider more defensive signings, with the Blues back line proving rather leaky after seven games this season. Man City’s Abdukodir Khusanov and Palace’s Tyrick Mitchell are also options.
Colwill has long been seen as Chelsea’s present and future on the left side of the central defence, whether that be a back four or a back three. But should Chelsea sign Bastoni, Colwill immediately drops out.
It all depends on whether Inter are ready to sell in the middle of the season, and if Bastoni is willing to jump ship in a January window. But if Chelsea can stump up the cash, he is an enormous improvement.
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Photo by Michael Regan - The FA/The FA via Getty Images
Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers and Joao Pedro
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Photo by Chris Lee - Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC via Getty Images