Liverpool list Bastoni as top transfer target, with Iraola also personally keen

Liverpool have now identified the ‘world-class’ star as their top summer transfer target, with new manager Andoni Iraola keen to seal a deal.

Reds eyeing new centre-back signing following Ibrahima Konate’s departure

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Brahima Konate is set to reunite with Trent Alexander-Arnold at Real Madrid after the Frenchman’s contract expires this summer, making it all the more important that the Reds were able to complete the signing of Rennes’ Jeremy Jacquet in January.

However, despite Jaquet’s imminent arrival, journalist James Pearce believes Iraola need another centre-back, stating: “We have confirmed that Ibrahima Konate will be leaving. Liverpool say they have[Virgil]van Dijk, they have[Joe]Gomez, they have[Giovanni]Leoni coming back from a serious injury and they also have Jeremy Jacquet from Rennes, so they have a pretty good squad.”

“I still think they might need another centre-half.”

Gomez has played in bit-part roles for several seasons, but Leoni and Jacquet are still young, so it would make sense to bring in new defenders in the coming months.

The Merseyside club also have big ambitions and have set their sights on a centre-back with extensive Champions League experience.

Liverpool name ‘world-class’ star player as priority target

Liverpool have identified Inter Milan star Alessandro Bastoni as their top defensive target ahead of the summer transfer window, but it could cost more than £70m to lure him away from the Serie A champions, according to a report from Sports Boom.

Iraola are keen to sign the Italian over the line and have personally selected him as his number one target on the line, and feel the player, who has spent his entire career in his home country, may be looking to test himself in a new league this summer.

Bastoni, described by journalist Matteo Bonetti as “world class”, is currently attracting interest in a move to the Premier League, although he has played 56 times in the Champions League, losing twice in the final.

The 27-year-old is solid defensively at the back and consistent in possession, as evidenced by his average of 6.4 points per 90 defensive contributions in Serie A last season, the second highest in Inter’s team.

Last season, the 43-capped Italy international averaged 64.7 accurate passes out of 90 in Serie A, more than any other Liverpool player in the Premier League apart from Curtis Jones.

Bastoni could be Konate’s ideal replacement as he has a proven track record at the highest level and is experienced in winning league titles.

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