Liverpool are aiming to beat Arsenal to the stunning capture of Inter Milan superstar Alessandro Bastoni, according to a report, and we have already revealed how he feels about a potential summer transfer.<\/p>\n
Liverpool<\/a> have taken steps to future-proof their backline in the last two transfer windows, having signed Giovanni Leoni from Parma and reached an early agreement for Jeremy Jacquet. Liverpool will pay Rennes \u00a360million (\u20ac68m \/ $80m) when Jacquet formally moves to Anfield this summer.<\/p>\n Despite these new arrivals, Liverpool are still on the hunt for at least one new centre-back, having missed out on Marc Guehi to Manchester City.<\/p>\n A successor needs to be found for Virgil van Dijk, who is now 34 years old, while Ibrahima Konate still has not signed a new contract. Plus, Joe Gomez is being linked with a summer move away from Liverpool.<\/p>\n As per CaughtOffside<\/a>, Bastoni is emerging as a prime target for Liverpool to elevate their defensive options.<\/p>\n Liverpool have \u2018explored\u2019 his potential signing and are \u2018closely monitoring\u2019 the situation. The left-footed centre-back has emerged as a \u2018potential marquee signing\u2019 for elite clubs this summer.<\/p>\n Inter would love to keep Bastoni<\/a> but will reluctantly sell if a huge offer worth \u20ac90-100m (up to \u00a388m \/ $117m) arrives.<\/p>\n There is \u2018intense competition\u2019 between Liverpool and Arsenal to snare Bastoni, as they appear to be the two clubs leading the race.<\/p>\n Barcelona, Chelsea and Man City are all keeping tabs on the Italy star, too.<\/p>\n Our transfer insider, Graeme Bailey, revealed on December 20 that Bastoni is gearing up for a major transfer away from Inter this summer<\/a>.<\/p>\n A source exclusively told us: \u201cAlessandro is happy at Inter, and in Italy, but at 26, there is the belief he might look to try his hand abroad. He is at the top of his game, and not many in the world currently compare to him.<\/p>\n \u201c2026 is going to be a big year for him.\u201d<\/p>\n We understand Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain could all make approaches for the player, too.<\/p>\n On Thursday, Fabrizio Romano discussed the futures of Bastoni and Tottenham Hotspur leader Micky van de Ven<\/a>, both of whom have been linked with Liverpool.<\/p>\n Want more breaking transfer lines from original sources? Add TEAMtalk as a preferred source on Google <\/a>to your favourites list for news you can trust.<\/p>\n Inter to demand \u2018big money\u2019 for Liverpool target \u2013 Romano<\/p>\n \u201cFor Inter, Bastoni is an absolutely crucial player, they would ask I think for big, big, big money,\u201d the journalist said.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is not an easy deal in terms of negotiations. At the moment, there is an appreciation [from Barcelona] but nothing else.\u201d<\/p>\n Romano added: \u201cI think at Tottenham there is a situation to clarify with the centre-backs. Now it\u2019s time to fight to stay in the Premier League and try their best possible in the Champions League. But in the summer it\u2019s going to be time to clarify the future of defenders.<\/p>\n \u201cCuti Romero and or\u00a0Micky van de Ven, I don\u2019t see Tottenham selling both of them, but there is obviously a lot of attention in the players. Several clubs are following these situations.\u201d<\/p>\n Nottingham Forest\u2019s Murillo is another candidate to bolster Arne Slot\u2019s centre-half ranks. Sources confirmed to us last week that Murillo is \u2018increasingly likely\u2019 to depart Forest amid strong interest from Liverpool and Chelsea<\/a>.<\/p>\n Liverpool: Two midfield moves; \u00a3100m signing boost<\/p>\n Meanwhile, Liverpool have been told to move for a top Manchester United target, in a deal which would see an \u2018erratic\u2019 star get replaced<\/a>.<\/p>\n A report suggests Liverpool are edging closer to a phenomenal \u00a3100m signing<\/a> due to issues at his current club.<\/p>\n