Reports are emerging of Liverpool preparing to table a world-record offer for Inter Milan’s defensive stalwart, Alessandro Bastoni, in a bid that could reshape the landscape of football transfers. The Merseyside club has reportedly set its sights on the Italian centre-half as they aim to reinforce their defensive ranks with a truly elite option.
The summer transfer window saw Liverpool intensify their efforts to acquire a top-tier central defender, with Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace almost within their grasp. However, a last-minute hitch in securing a suitable replacement for Guehi at Palace thwarted the deal. Although Liverpool remains keen on acquiring Guehi’s services by 2026, they now face stiff competition from heavyweights like Manchester City, Real Madrid, and Bayern Munich, while Barcelona seems to have withdrawn from the race.
Liverpool’s resolve to gird their defence with future-proof security is evident. Despite Virgil van Dijk’s continuing excellence, the Dutchman is now 34, and the club is intent on formulating a succession plan. Additionally, Liverpool is striving to cement Ibrahima Konate’s future at Anfield amid persistent interest from Real Madrid.
Spanish outlet Fichajes has suggested Fenway Sports Group (FSG) may pivot towards Bastoni as an alternative to Guehi. It is speculated that Liverpool are preparing to launch a €95m (£83m) bid to extract the 26-year-old from Inter Milan, a transfer that, if completed, would eclipse the world-record fee for a defender currently held by Harry Maguire’s £80m move to Manchester United.
Whilst Fichajes may not be the most reliable of sources in the realm of transfer gossip, Liverpool’s interest in Bastoni is genuine, and a move could materialise in due course. Our sources have indicated that 2026 might prove a pivotal year for Bastoni, with a potential test abroad aligning with his career trajectory as he reaches his peak.
Interest in Bastoni isn’t confined to Liverpool, as Manchester City, Chelsea, Real Madrid, and Paris Saint-Germain also feature on the list of potential suitors. Should Liverpool succeed in orchestrating a deal, it would follow a summer window that saw the Reds land marquee names including Florian Wirtz, Alexander Isak, Hugo Ekitike, Jeremie Frimpong, and Milos Kerkez.
In other transfer rumblings, Liverpool has been linked with a last-minute attempt to intercept Manchester City’s move for Antoine Semenyo, with various sources weighing in on the potential Etihad-bound transfer.
Meanwhile, controversy surrounds Trent Alexander-Arnold’s decision to join Madrid, to which Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard responded with criticism, identifying areas in need of bolstering within Liverpool’s ranks following the departure of the homegrown talent.