In a seismic shift that’s set to rock the January transfer window, Liverpool have received a massive green light in their pursuit of Inter Milan’s defensive rock Alessandro Bastoni – the Italian star’s camp has confirmed he’s “officially ready” for a move as early as next month. With Marc Guehi’s protracted saga showing no signs of resolution, the Reds are wasting no time in activating their contingency plan, positioning Bastoni as the perfect heir to fortify Arne Slot’s backline.
Sources close to the Anfield hierarchy have revealed to TEAMtalk that Bastoni, 26, views a switch to Merseyside as the “ideal next step” in his glittering career. The 6ft 3in centre-back, who has been a cornerstone of Inter’s Serie A dominance and their 2023 Champions League final run, is reportedly growing frustrated with stalled contract talks at the San Siro. His current deal expires in 2028, but with Inter facing financial pressures under new UEFA regulations, a €60m (£50m) release clause could make this a bargain-basement blockbuster for Liverpool.
“Liverpool’s interest has been longstanding, and Alessandro is excited about the prospect of Premier League football,” a representative for Bastoni told TEAMtalk exclusively. “He’s ready to make the move happen in January if the right opportunity arises. Timing is everything, and right now, it feels perfect.”
This bombshell comes at a precarious time for Liverpool’s defence. The club entered the 2025/26 season with just three recognised senior centre-backs – Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate, and Joe Gomez – following the collapse of their summer bid for Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi and the heartbreaking long-term knee injury to promising youngster Giovanni Leoni. Van Dijk, who turns 35 in July 2026, remains a talismanic presence but his contract situation looms large, while Konate’s free agency status next summer has sparked feverish speculation about a Saudi Pro League windfall. Gomez, meanwhile, has been shopped around in each of Slot’s first two transfer windows, with Newcastle and Tottenham lurking.
Guehi, Liverpool’s undisputed No. 1 target, looked destined for Anfield last summer after the Reds thrashed out a £70m deal with Palace. But in a dramatic 11th-hour U-turn, Eagles boss Oliver Glasner vetoed the sale, citing the England international’s irreplaceable value at the heart of his defence. Now, with Guehi’s contract ticking down to its June 2026 expiry, he’s poised to walk away on a free – and Liverpool face a gauntlet of suitors, including Arsenal, Chelsea, and even Real Madrid, all salivating at the prospect of a Bosman coup.
Enter Bastoni: the suave, ball-playing defender who’s been dubbed “the next Paolo Maldini” by Italian media. Since bursting onto the scene at Inter in 2019, he’s racked up over 150 appearances, anchoring a back three that’s conceded just 0.8 goals per game in Serie A this season. His versatility – comfortable as a left-sided centre-back or even inverting into midfield – aligns seamlessly with Slot’s high-pressing, possession-heavy system. Bastoni’s composure under pressure (he’s completed 92% of his passes in the Champions League this term) and aerial prowess (winning 68% of duels) make him a dream foil for Van Dijk, potentially extending the Dutchman’s swansong at Anfield.
Liverpool’s scouting team has been embedded in Milan for months, with reports of private jets ferrying execs to San Siro clashes. “Bastoni is the contingency we’ve been building towards,” an Anfield insider confided. “Guehi’s situation is fluid, but we can’t afford to wait until summer. January is about striking while the iron’s hot – and with Bastoni signalling his readiness, this could be the statement signing that catapults us back into the title race.”
The player’s openness to a January exit isn’t just talk. Inter’s hierarchy, squeezed by FFP constraints after splashing €120m on new midfield reinforcements last window, have privately admitted they’re open to offers. A sale now would net them pure profit on a homegrown talent, allowing reinvestment in youth prospects like Yann Bisseck.
For Bastoni, the pull of Liverpool is magnetic. “I’ve always admired the intensity of the Premier League and the passion at Anfield,” he said in a recent interview with Gazzetta dello Sport. “Klopp’s legacy is there, but Slot’s vision feels fresh – tactical, innovative. If the call comes, I’m prepared.”
Guehi, for his part, remains philosophical about his stalled Anfield dream. Speaking to TNT Sports last month amid Palace’s gritty draw at Selhurst Park, the 25-year-old shrugged off the summer heartbreak: “The sun goes up, the sun comes down. Life goes on. That’s my mindset. I’m grateful for Palace – they’ve given me everything. Family, friends, teammates… they keep you grounded.”
But as Liverpool plot their winter assault, Guehi’s words ring hollow for Reds fans desperate for defensive reinforcements. With Champions League knockout stages looming and a grueling festive fixture pile-up, Slot can’t risk another injury crisis exposing his threadbare options.
If Bastoni seals the deal, it won’t just plug a gap – it’ll signal Liverpool’s ruthless ambition under FSG. Guehi who? In the cutthroat world of transfers, the Reds are primed to turn a near-miss into a masterstroke.