Liverpool identify Bastoni as top transfer target, Iraola personally keen

Liverpool have now identified a “world-class” star as a top summer transfer target, with new manager Andoni Iraola desperate to get a deal done.

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

I

brahima Konate is poised to reunite with Trent Alexander-Arnold at Real Madrid, upon the expiration of the Frenchman’s contract this summer, which makes it all the more important the Reds were able to complete a deal for Rennes’ Jeremy Jacquet in January.

However, despite Jacquet’s impending arrival, journalist James Pearce believes Iraola will need to add another centre-back to his ranks, saying: “We had confirmation that Ibrahima Konate is going. Liverpool are saying they’re reasonably well-stocked there because you’ve got [Virgil] van Dijk, you’ve still got [Joe] Gomez, you’ve got [Giovanni] Leoni coming back from a serious injury and Jeremy Jacquet coming in from Rennes.

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

Gomez has been a bit-part player for several seasons, whereas Leoni and Jacquet are still young, so it would make sense to get another defender through the door over the coming months.

The Merseyside club have big ambitions too, having set their sights on a centre-back with plenty of experience in the Champions League.

Liverpool identify “world-class” star as priority target

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

Iraola is desperate to get a deal for the Italian over the line, having personally selected him as his number one target at the back, and there is a feeling he could be willing to test himself in a new league this summer, having spent his entire career in his home country.

A move to the Premier League is now of interest to Bastoni, who has been described as “world-class” by journalist Matteo Bonetti, while he also has 56 Champions League appearances to his name, losing in the final on two occasions.

The 27-year-old is solid at the back, as evidenced by the fact he averaged 6.4 defensive contributions per 90 in the Serie A last season, the second-highest number in the Inter squad, and he is composed in possession of the ball to boot.

Last term, the 43-cap Italy international averaged 64.7 accurate passes per 90 in the Serie A, which was more than any Liverpool player managed in the Premier League, barring Curtis Jones.

With Bastoni proven at the highest level and experienced when it comes to winning league titles, he could be the ideal replacement for Konate.

Read next: Liverpool leading race for Premier League star, Iraola’s a big fan