Plans are already underway for the summer transfer window with Liverpool linked with potential incomings
Liverpool transfer target Alessandro Bastoni might be available for approximately £40million this summer rather than the previously stated £60million price tag. Inter aim to offload the Italy international to generate funds for their own incoming transfers, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport.
Liverpool are among the numerous clubs linked with an interest in Bastoni, with Barcelona reported to have expressed their interest to the player’s representative, Tullio Tinti, in recent weeks. Several English clubs could reportedly also emerge as potential buyers if he is keen to move to the Premier League.
A transfer within Italy seems unlikely given Bastoni’s reported net wages, which are said to exceed £80,000. That salary reportedly means very few clubs in his homeland are prepared to sign the two-time Serie A winner.
Liverpool already have Jeremy Jacquet arriving this summer, though they might still be seeking another central defender. Ibrahima Konate’s contract is expiring, and Joe Gomez’s future has been uncertain over the last few summers.
Bastoni’s fellow countryman Giovanni Leoni also remains in rehabilitation following surgery to repair an anterior cruciate ligament tear on his left knee. Bastoni has had a challenging month and continues to face boos during fixtures in Italy.
The hostile receptions come after he celebrated the sending off of Juventus player Pierre Kalulu during Inter’s victory over the Turin team. The defender confessed to exaggerating his fall to get his opponent a second yellow card and aid his team in winning the Derby d’Italia.
Bastoni said: “I exaggerated the fall once I felt contact with Kalulu to try and win a foul, but I have to apologise for my reaction afterwards as it wasn’t nice to see, even if it was very human.
“I was caught up in the heat and intensity of such an important match. I’m sorry it went that way.
“I think it’s right to take responsibility, but my character and my career shouldn’t be questioned. I’ve played more than 300 professional matches.
“I didn’t expect so much noise around it … I’ve seen a lot of hypocrisy and heard people say things that just don’t make sense. I thank those who commented fairly, saying I made a mistake without condemning my character.”
He added: “On a personal level, it hasn’t affected me too much … we’re exposed to this kind of media scrutiny, so I’m used to it, and I’m capable of handling it. I feel more sorry for my wife and for my daughter, who doesn’t yet understand.
“Receiving death threats is unacceptable. I feel for her, and also for referee [Federico] La Penna, who found himself in the same situation … they should not be subjected to this kind of thing.
“Football has been like this for 100 years, there are incidents for and against you, and we need to stop constantly complaining and acting like moralists every time there’s a case like this, ever since [Diego] Maradona’s handball goal.”