Liverpool are reportedly ready to compete with Barcelona for Inter Milan’s star defender Alessandro Bastoni as they look to reshape their backline for the 2026/27 season.
With Virgil van Dijk nearing the later stages of his career and Ibrahima Konate’s contract situation still unresolved, Arne Slot is seeking a world-class, experienced leader to stabilize the defense.
The Italian international, who has been a cornerstone of Inter’s success in Serie A, is now a primary target for several of Europe’s elite clubs.
Inter Milan set high valuation for Bastoni amid Liverpool interest
The 26-year-old centre-back is widely regarded as the perfect modern defender due to his exceptional ball-playing abilities and tactical intelligence.
While Barcelona views Bastoni as an ideal fit for their technical style of play, Inter Milan is not expected to let their prized asset go easily.
Reports suggest that the Italian giants would only consider offers in the region of £80 million to £90 million.
Although Inter would prefer to extend his contract until 2030, the financial lure of the Premier League and La Liga could trigger a massive bidding war.
Despite Liverpool’s interest in bringing back academy graduate Jarell Quansah from Bayer Leverkusen, the pursuit of Bastoni signals a desire for a more established presence at the heart of the defense.
Having earned over 40 caps for Italy and played a key role in Inter’s recent dominance, Bastoni fits the profile of a top-tier replacement for the Reds’ aging defensive line.
As the summer window approaches, the competition between Liverpool, Barcelona, and Arsenal for his signature is expected to intensify.
