- Alessandro Bastoni has emerged as a transfer target for Liverpool
- The centre-back is prepared to leave Inter Milan this summer
- The Serie A giants want £60-70million for him
Liverpool remain ‘persistent’ in their pursuit of Alessandro Bastoni, but the Inter Milan star’s preference for Barcelona might be a blessing in disguise for Arne Slot. Here is why the £70m snub actually helps Richard Hughes solve Liverpool’s post-Van Dijk defensive crisis.
The 2025-26 season has been nothing but a failure for the Reds, despite being the defending Premier League champions and spending £446million on new signings last summer.
Their performances have exposed serious shortcomings in the squad, meaning Richard Hughes has his work cut out for him this summer.
Mohamed Salah’s unexpected, rapid decline has also not helped Arne Slot’s cause, with the Egyptian now set to leave the club prematurely at the end of the 2025/26 campaign.
Virgil van Dijk has also shown signs of age catching up to him, as the colossal centre-back no longer looks as invincible as he used to be.
Liverpool want Bastoni as Van Dijk replacement
With the captain’s contract running out next year at the end of the 2026/27 campaign, the Merseyside-based club are likely aware that they have to replace him sooner rather than later.
Elite left-sided centre-backs are increasingly rare to find at the moment, but Bastoni certainly fits the bill.
Having just turned 27, the Italy international is at the peak of his career and would bring significant Serie A and UEFA Champions League experience.
Therefore, it is no surprise that Bastoni has been on the six-time European champions wishlist.
According to Mundo Deportivo, Liverpool have been ‘persistent’ in signing the central defender.
However, the Anfield outfit face fierce competition from Barcelona, who already have the foundations of an agreement in place with the player.
Bastoni, for his part, believes this is the right time to leave Inter and has his heart set on joining the La Liga giants, thus handing a major blow to the English heavyweights.
Barcelona are waiting for Hansi Flick to sit down with Deco and confirm his plans for the squad before starting formal negotiations with Inter.
The Milan-based club want €70-80m (£60-70m) for the defender, who, though, is keen to convince his employers to reduce the asking price to join Barcelona.
Bastoni snub a blessing for Slot?
Liverpool indeed need to start thinking about a replacement for Van Dijk, but this year might be too soon, especially with Salah already departing.
It would have perhaps made sense to push forward with a move for Bastoni if Ibrahima Konate was to leave on a free transfer.
However, it appears the France international is now on the verge of putting pen to paper on a fresh contract at Anfield.
That means Slot would have Van Dijk, Konate, Jeremy Jacquet, Joe Gomez and Giovanni Leoni at his disposal next season.
This is why Bastoni snubbing the Reds is a blessing in disguise.
