Liverpool have got a £26m trump card in deal for Alessandro Bastoni

Liverpool were devastated by Giovanni Leoni’s ACL injury suffered on debut.

The Italian defender is undergoing rehabilitation - and should be fit for first-team duties next season.

But Inter Milan have got a plan.

Cristian Chivu coached the 19-year-old during his time at Parma - and actually wanted to sign him when he moved to Inter last summer.

But Liverpool won the race.

However Inter haven’t gone away and Chivu is eyeing a loan deal for the teenager next season.

At the same time Liverpool have got their eyes on Alessandro Bastoni according to a report in Caught Offside.

The 26-year-old is out of contract in 2028 - and could be ready to move on at the end of the season.

Liverpool require a long-term replacement for Virgil van Dijk and the Italian international looks like he fits the bill.

Giovanni Leoni and Virgil van Dijk: Situation summary

Giovanni Leoni arrived as Liverpool’s big defensive bet for the future, a £26m signing from Parma on a six‑year deal after interest from Italy’s elite and Premier League rivals.

The then-18‑year‑old, already blooded in Serie A and capped at Italy youth level, was earmarked to join Arne Slot’s first‑team group immediately rather than go out on loan, viewed internally as a potential long‑term Virgil van Dijk successor.

His Anfield debut came in a League Cup win over Southampton, but an ACL injury in that game has stalled his Liverpool career for around a year, turning 2025‑26 into a rehabilitation season rather than a breakout campaign.

Virgil van Dijk is out of contract in 2027 and, at 35 by then, all indications are that this is his last Liverpool deal. Liverpool are effectively planning for a hard stop: they have to replace a generational organiser, not just rotate him.

That urgency is behind the £60m outlay on Jeremy Jacquet and the recruitment of Giovanni Leoni, both profiled as future first‑choice options rather than short‑term depth.

Analysis

So could Liverpool offer Inter something that no other suitors can?

Richard Hughes may opt to dangle a loan for Leoni in front of Inter in order to soften the blow of losing Bastoni.

Liverpool would move into pole position for the Euro 2020 champion - while facilitating plenty of game time for a player who needs it - Leoni.

There are plenty of other young centre-backs that Arne Slot can use in rotation next season - including Mor Talla Ndiaye, Ifeanyi Ndukwe and of course Jeremy Jacquet.

And the Reds have got other irons in the fire for experienced stoppers - with the likes of Murillo and Nico Schlotterbeck linked.

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