Liverpool ‘ready’ to submit £88m offer for centre back hailed as ‘among the world’s best’
Liverpool are reportedly preparing a huge bid to sign a top-level centre back in an effort to resolve their defensive issues, either in the January window or next summer.
According to reports, the Reds are planning a major move for Inter Milan defender Alessandro Bastoni as they look to shore up their back line. With Giovanni Leoni sidelined long-term and their pursuit of Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi unsuccessful, Liverpool have turned their attention back to Bastoni as a possible answer.
Deportivo claim Liverpool are putting together an £88million proposal for the 26-year-old, who has previously been described by Italian icon Giorgio Chiellini as “one of the best defenders” in world football.
“I know Alessandro well. He’s one of the strongest centre backs around and, in my opinion, among the very best in the game,” Chiellini said in 2023. “Italy will be able to rely on him for many years – he just needs to keep pushing himself.”
A January move hasn’t been ruled out, though Liverpool are reportedly open to waiting until the summer if necessary. This timing could matter, given Ibrahima Konate’s uncertain future, with his contract expiring at the end of the season.
If the deal goes beyond £80m, Bastoni would become the most expensive defender ever. Harry Maguire currently tops the list after his £80m switch from Leicester to Manchester United in 2019. Josko Gvardiol follows after his £77m transfer to Manchester City in 2023, while Virgil van Dijk’s £75m move to Liverpool in 2018 sits third.
Whether Bastoni is worth such a fee is debatable, but his quality is not. A composed, left-footed defender, he offers strength, calmness on the ball, and excellent passing – traits ideal for a possession-focused side.
A consistent standout in Serie A, Bastoni has made the league’s Team of the Year three times in the last five seasons. He played a key role in Inter’s 2020/21 and 2023/24 title wins and was instrumental in their runs to the Champions League finals in 2023 and 2025.
Liverpool, meanwhile, are in urgent need of defensive improvement after an unsteady start to the season. Arne Slot’s side have conceded 17 goals in their first 11 league games – a major increase from the six they allowed at the same stage last year.
Their defensive instability has been worsened by a chaotic summer transfer window, which saw Trent Alexander-Arnold leave and new full-backs Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez struggle to impress.
Despite spending more than £450m on new players, many believe the sheer volume of arrivals has affected the team’s cohesion. Whether another big-money signing will fix the problem is still unclear – but if Bastoni lives up to expectations, the investment may prove worthwhile.
