Liverpool’s chances of landing Alessandro Bastoni rated as Reds told to ‘keep an eye’

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Alessandro Bastoni is arguably the best signing Liverpool could possibly make at centre-back in 2026.

The Inter Milan stopper is one of the best defenders in world football, and as the Reds look ahead to a Virgil van Dijk-less future, he could help to ease that transition.

As Liverpool shop around for one, two or possibly even three new centre-backs in the coming 18 months, Bastoni’s name has been tentatively mentioned.

As Rousing The Kop exclusively revealed earlier this week, Liverpool have been made aware that Bastoni could be available next summer.

Fans have been getting excited as a result, as they entertain the idea of one of Italy’s best joining their club.

However, journalist David Lynch has stepped in to dampen suggestion that Bastoni could be on his way, instead suggesting that Borussia Dortmund’s Nico Schlotterbeck is a more likely addition.

Alessandro Bastoni to Liverpool looks difficult

If Liverpool want to go out and get a ready-made centre-back to slot straight into their back four, then Bastoni is perhaps the ultimate target.

Turning 27 in April, the Italy international is coming into what theoretically should be the peak of his career and has been performing at the top level for years already.

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Nevertheless, according to Lynch, age is just one of the factors which makes a Liverpool move for Bastoni a little unlikely as things stand.

“You may have heard links to Bastoni as well at Inter, but I have to say slightly more sceptical on that,” the journalist said on his YouTube channel.

“He’s a little older than Schlotterbeck. He’s played only in Italy for all of his career so far and he’s contracted till 2028. So we’re talking about big money.

“I know the quality is absolutely there but just that extra year in his legs, adapting from Italy and the contract situation, he’d be very, very expensive.”

Nico Schlotterbeck move more likely than Bastoni

While he is keen to pour cold water on a potential deal for Bastoni, Lynch is more enthusiastic over the chances of Schlotterbeck arriving at Anfield.

The 25-year-old is out of contract in 2027 and looks likely to leave Dortmund in the coming year.

And according to Lynch, this could even mean a January move is on the cards, with Liverpool likely to be in the running.

“An interesting one to keep an eye on, maybe for January, maybe for the summer window,” he says. “Liverpool have been linked and to me he ticks a lot of boxes.”

While Bastoni would possibly offer a bigger guarantee of success, Schlotterbeck’s availability and age profile seemingly makes him the more likely signing as things stand.