Liverpool have stepped up their efforts to sign Inter Milan centre-back Alessandro Bastoni, as they look to beat Barcelona to his signature.
Despite having forked out a fortune on player transfers last summer, the season hasn’t gone according to plan for Liverpool. As a result, the Reds are gearing up for another important transfer window. They are ready to go big in an attempt to reinforce their squad.
The Merseyside club wants to bring in a world-class centre-back to strengthen their backline, and according to a report from Fichajes, Liverpool have ramped up their efforts to sign Alessandro Bastoni from Inter Milan.
With Arne Slot’s team struggling in the defensive half, they see the Italian international as the player who can help get things back on track. Since Virgil van Dijk is in the final phase of his career and there has been a dip in his form, they consider Bastoni an ideal long-term replacement.
However, securing his services won’t be easy. The 26-year-old is a key figure at Inter Milan. He has made 36 appearances this term and has even contributed towards eight goals. Given his importance and the fact that he still has two years left on his deal, the Serie A giants will demand a significant fee.
More importantly, Barcelona are also after his signature. The Catalan giants want to bring in a world-class centre-back, who can help fill the void left by Inigo Martinez and with Ronald Araujo also struggling, Bastoni is a top target for the Spanish club.
Liverpool are looking to win the race for Bastoni
However, Liverpool are determined to beat them to his signature. With the La Liga outfit struggling financially, the Reds are looking to make the most out of it. The Premier League giants understand that revamping their backline is a must ahead of the new season; as a result, their sporting management is already at work.
The left-footed Italian centre-back has all the qualities they are looking for. Not only does he have a strong physical presence, but he is also exceptionally good on the ball. Despite the difficulties in signing him, the Reds are optimistic that they can prise him away from Inter Milan.
They want to wrap up the deal as quickly as possible, as they look to avoid a situation where other suitors could rival them and eventually drive up the price even further. Since he is valued at €80 million, a potential transfer could shatter records.