Liverpool open talks for deal with €100m centre-back

Liverpool’s centre-back department is due a big shake-up over the coming transfer windows.

Arguably the process of renewal began last summer - with Jarell Quansah leaving for Bayer Leverkusen in a £30m deal and Giovanni Leoni coming in from Parma.

But Leoni, 18, suffered a season-ending ACL tear on debut and the Reds have been left with only three senior fit options since then.

Liverpool pick Alessandro Bastoni

Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate and Joe Gomez are all the players Arne Slot has got at his disposal in the heart of defence - making the missed transfer for Marc Guehi look all the more damaging in hindsight.

Factor in Konate’s contract situation - due to expire in summer 2026 - and you can see why Liverpool may have a crisis looming.

That’s why we’ve seen so many central defenders linked with an Anfield arrival in recent weeks as sporting director Richard Hughes cast his eye on reinforcements.

One of the names flying high right now is Alessandro Bastoni. The 26-year-old Italian has been on the books of Inter Milan since 2017 and looks set to take a different step in his career.

Bastoni worth up to €100m

Under contract until 2028, the Euro 2020 winner could be worth up to €100m in any transfer deal - and a report in Rousing the Kop now claims that a move is in motion.

That’s because third parties around the elegant left-sided defender have been reaching out to top European clubs signalling his availability for next year.

“Intermediaries have been in contact with some of Europe’s top clubs to notify them that, heading into the New Year, Bastoni could be open to a move,” the report reads.

“Liverpool are one of those contacted along with the likes of Chelsea, Manchester City, Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain.”

Bastoni could be a Van Dijk replacement

Bastoni was last season named the best defender in Serie A - and helped his side to the Champions League final.

He would be a good fit for Liverpool as he is a left-sided defender - and one day soon the club will need a top-quality option to take over from Van Dijk.

Bastoni is also adept at playing in a back three - meaning that Arne Slot would be easily able to change shape in defence if the situation required.

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