Liverpool and Barcelona could be involved in a bidding war for a world-class defender who has impressed at one of Europe’s biggest clubs.
Despite signing Giovanni Leoni from Serie A club Parma in the summer of 2025, and are ready to welcome Jeremy Jacquet from Rennes next season, it looks like Arne Slot could also add a more experienced player to the squad ahead of the 2026/27 Premier League season.
Read: Willing to pay almost 10 times what Bodø/Glimt paid a few weeks ago
With three wins in a row, Liverpool are in the fight for Champions League qualification, before tonight’s away meeting at Molineux Stadium against table jumbo Wolverhampton occupies the 5th place, which this year probably means qualification.
With Virgil van Dijk likely nearing the end of his time at Liverpool in the coming seasons, while Ibrahima Konaté’s current contract expires after the 2025/26 season, there could be room for new faces in Liverpool’s defence.
Liverpool academy product Jarell Quansah has been linked with a potential return to his boyhood club after impressing in the Bundesliga with Bayer Leverkusen since his £35m transfer in the summer.
However, the Reds could consider replacing Konate, should he leave, with a more experienced defender who boasts experience at the highest level.
As reported by CaughtOffside, Inter and Italy national team centre-back Alessandro Bastoni are of interest to the Reds, while Barcelona, who see the defender as a perfect match for their style of play, and Arsenal are also interested in the 26-year-old.
Bastoni, who is under contract with the Serie A giants until June 2028, has made 291 appearances for the Nerazzurri since arriving from Atalanta in 2017.
Read: Manchester City ready to set record for signing Premier League star
The defender also has 41 caps for his country and was part of the team that won UEFA Euro 2020, although he only played once during the tournament.
According to CaughtOffside, Inter will consider bids between €90-100 million.
Chelsea and Manchester City are also said to be monitoring the player’s situation, while Inter are keen for Bastoni to extend his contract until at least 2030.
Bastoni fits the profile of a modern ball-playing defender and is known for his passing ability, which has earned him 30 assists since joining Inter.
In 2024, Bastoni revealed that he is shaping his game after Real Madrid and Germany defender Antonio Rüdiger, admitting that he is trying to “emulate him”.
Inter are currently at the top of Serie A, 10 points ahead of second-placed AC Milan.
