Italian Media Talks of a €100m Move for Bastoni - Media Watch
By Tahmid Habib
Liverpool’s search for a high-end defensive signing has taken an unexpected turn toward Italy, where several prominent news outlets have reported in the past forty-eight hours that the club have explored a move for Inter Milan centre back Alessandro Bastoni. What began as a rumour circulating on English platforms such as BBC Sport, Transfermarkt and OneFootball has now intensified in Italy, and that shift has changed the tone of the story entirely.
Story of The Potential Transfer
According to Il Giorno, Liverpool have made “initial enquiries” regarding Bastoni’s availability and have asked what it would take for Inter to enter discussions. The Italian newspaper describes Liverpool’s interest as “serious and structured”, not merely speculative. Corriere dello Sport has echoed this, suggesting that Premier League interest in Bastoni is concrete and linked to Liverpool’s search for a long-term defensive cornerstone.
The response from Milan has been clear. Reports from SempreInter state that Inter “have no plans to sell Bastoni” and view him as non-transferable. The outlet notes that Inter consider him part of the club’s identity. Bastoni only signed a long-term contract last year, which ties him to Inter until 2028, giving the Italian side full control over the situation. One detail that recurs across multiple Italian outlets is that Inter would only entertain discussions if Bastoni personally asked to leave.
At this stage, there is no indication of that happening. The Hard Tackle, citing sources in Italy, describes Bastoni as “happy at Inter” and not pushing for a move. La Gazzetta dello Sport has reinforced that sentiment for several months, pointing out that he is settled in Milan, highly valued by Cristian Chivu and central to the system Inter play.
Bastoni has been a key figure in Inter's defense
Liverpool Heighten Interest
This is where Liverpool’s interest becomes complicated. English reports, including TeamTalk and OneFootball, suggest Liverpool may be willing to offer as much as eighty-eight million pounds, or approximately one hundred million euros. In practical terms, Liverpool are signalling that if they are to rebuild the defence around a new leader, they want one of Europe’s best left-footed centre backs. But in Italy, the narrative has focused less on money and more on resistance. Inter do not want a negotiation.
They see Bastoni as irreplaceable, both in footballing terms and in symbolic terms. Nevertheless, Il Giorno has noted that contingency planning has begun behind the scenes, with Inter quietly identifying alternative defensive targets should an exceptional offer arrive. In other words, Inter are not selling Bastoni, but they are aware that Premier League clubs, when determined, tend to return more than once.
For Liverpool, Bastoni is a natural fit. He is composed in possession, progressive with the ball and aggressive without losing control. He profiles as the type of defender Liverpool have historically invested heavily in a player who elevates the team rather than simply fills a gap. This is why the club’s name keeps resurfacing in the Italian press. They see a project taking shape in Liverpool that may eventually test Inter’s resolve.
The Italian media have framed this story as a standoff rather than a negotiation. Liverpool want Bastoni. Inter are refusing. The player is content where he is. Yet even during all the resistance, the fact that multiple Italian outlets have chosen to publish and revisit the story indicates that something has shifted. When the reporting moves from England’s transfer gossip cycle into Italy’s football establishment, it means the idea is no longer fantasy.
As it stands, Liverpool have made their interest known. Inter are standing firm. Bastoni has not pushed for anything to change. What happens next will depend less on scouting reports or tactical fit and more on pressure, timing and the willingness of one club to test another’s resolve.