Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta.placeholder image
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta. | AFP via Getty Images
Liverpool are rivalling Arsenal over a summer transfer swoop for an established Serie A centre-back.
Arsenal are reportedly ‘pursuing’ Inter Milan defender Alessandro Bastoni with the player believed to be willing to make the move to the Premier League.
The Gunners centre-back spots are nailed down by Gabriel and William Saliba but both have suffered with injuries at times this season. Cristhian Mosquera looks to be a future leader and Arsenal are constantly looking to improve their squad.
Saliba has been linked with a move to La Liga giants Real Madrid in the past and signing Bastoni could help Arsenal prepare for any big money departure. The 26-year-old is a regular in the starting XI at Inter, racking up 2,461 minutes across all competitions so far this season.
Arsenal join Barcelona in making Serie A defender a summer priority
The defender came through the academy at Atalanta and broke into the first team before being snapped up by Inter in July 2017 for €31 million. Bastoni was then loaned back to Atalanta and Parma before cementing himself in the Inter line-up.
The defender has gone on to make 288 appearances for Inter and fits the mould of a centre-back who is a threat in the opposition box with seven goals and a huge 30 assists. He’s won two Serie A titles, two Coppa Italias and three Supercoppa Italianas, as well as reaching two Champions League finals.
Calciomercato claim that Arsenal are ‘pursuing’ Bastoni as a ‘prime target’ but are joined by FC Barcelona in having transfer interest. Liverpool are also linked with the Reds having missed out on Marc Guehi It’s added the chances of him leaving Inter are growing.
TeamTALK cite a source closer to the player who said: “Alessandro is happy at Inter, and in Italy, but at 26, there is the belief he might look to try his hand abroad. He is at the top of his game, and not many in the world currently compare to him. 2026 is going to be a big year for him.”
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