Liverpool could be signing ‘one of best defenders in the world’ as £88m offer ‘prepared’

According to reports, Liverpool are preparing an £88million bid for a centre back recently dubbed “one of the best defenders in the world”

Liverpool’s spending this season could be set to rise above £500m(Image: Getty Images)

Liverpool are reportedly preparing a blockbuster move for Inter Milan centre back Alessandro Bastoni as they look to bolster their defensive ranks. The Reds have been left short at the back following Giovanni Leoni’s long-term injury and their failed pursuit of Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi, prompting renewed interest in Bastoni to fill the gap.

According to Mundo Deportivo, Liverpool are readying an £88million bid for the 26-year-old, who has been hailed by Italy legend Giorgio Chiellini as “one of the best defenders” in world football.

“I know Alessandro well, he is one of the strongest central defenders around and for me, he is among the best in the world,” Chiellini said in 2023. “He is a player that Italy will be able to count on for many years, he just needs to continue working and maintaining the desire to improve.”

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An attempt to sign Bastoni could come as early as January, though Liverpool are said to be open to waiting until the summer if necessary – a move that could prove crucial given Ibrahima Konate’s uncertain future, with his current deal expiring at the end of the season.

If the deal surpasses the £80m mark, Alessandro Bastoni would become the most expensive defender in football history. Harry Maguire currently holds that distinction after joining Manchester United from Leicester for £80m back in 2019.

Josko Gvardiol ranks second after his £77m move from RB Leipzig to Manchester City in 2023, while Virgil van Dijk’s £75m switch from Southampton to Liverpool in 2018 sits third on the list.

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Alessandro Bastoni could be on his way to Liverpool(Image: getty)

Whether he’s worth that sort of money is up for debate, but Bastoni’s quality is beyond question. A composed, left-footed defender, he combines physical strength with excellent ball-playing ability and precision passing.

Highly regarded in Serie A, Bastoni has been named in the league’s Team of the Year in three of the past five seasons. He played a key role in Inter’s title-winning campaigns in 2020/21 and 2023/24 and was instrumental in their runs to the Champions League final in both 2023 and 2025.

Liverpool are in urgent need of greater defensive stability after a shaky start to the new season. Arne Slot’s side have already conceded 17 goals in their first 11 league matches – a stark contrast to the six they had shipped at the same stage last year.



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Liverpool have looked shaky at the back this season and could use some defensive reinforcements

The Reds’ defensive frailties have been compounded by a turbulent summer in the transfer market, which saw Trent Alexander-Arnold leave and two new full-backs, Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez, come in.

FIFPRO, the International Federation of Professional Footballers, have slammed the treatment of footballers with the hectic and unforgiving fixture schedule players are subjected to.

The statement reads, “Footballers are treated as inexhaustible resources, not as people. Those who play too much risk their physical and mental integrity.

“Throughout this year, there has been talk of reforming the calendars to protect the health and rest of footballers. A more human, more rational football was promised. But nothing has been put into practice.

“The Club World Cup is designed to maximise income regardless of the suffering of the footballers or the spectators. There is no planning, no prevention, no respect. There is only an obsession with economic gain.

“FIFA continues to act with arrogance, without listening, without dialoguing, without consulting. Instead of opening spaces for participation to all sectors that make up the football industry, it chooses to discriminate and exclude.”

Howard Webb is completely wrong in his explanation of why Virgil van Dijk’s header deserved to be disallowed against Liverpool.

That is according to former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee, Keith Hackett, who exclusively told Football Insider that Liverpool’s equaliser against Man City should have stood on Sunday, 9 November.

Giorgi Mamardashvili was controversially punished for bringing Jeremy Doku down in the penalty area, and while Erling Haaland missed from the spot, he was on hand to make up for his errors minutes later.

Van Dijk’s equaliser could have completely changed the game for the Reds, but after re-analysing the incident, with Andy Robertson in an offside position, Howard Webb appeared to support the decision.

Listen to the audio of Virgil van Dijk’s goal against Manchester City being disallowed 🔊

Speaking on Match Officials Mic’d Up, PGMO chief Howard Webb explains why VAR did not intervene to overturn the decision. pic.twitter.com/l3sYMYmjJR

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) November 11, 2025

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Keith Hackett fundamentally disagrees with PGMOL boss’ explanation

The decision was heavily debated, with many suggesting that Robertson never interfered with play, and speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Hackett is fully against the PGMOL boss’ explanation.

“We have seen an explanation from the PGMOL in regards to the goal that was ruled out for offside following that Virgil van Dijk header, and Robertson being judged as offside,” he said.

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“I have listened to Howard Webb‘s explanation, and there’s no question that there is always subjectivity around this type of offence. Robertson was in an offside position. However, the goalkeeper’s sight was unobstructed.

“The action of Robertson bending down did not impact the goalkeeper’s ability to make a save. Therefore, in my opinion, along with many others, the goal should have been allowed.

“Liverpool had every right to ask for an explanation from Howard Webb. Sadly, his explanation at this time, I disagree with. I acknowledge the subjectivity, but Robertson did not impact on the goalkeeper.”

Jamie Carragher has already shown why Howard Webb is wrong

Analysing the incident in detail following the final whistle, Jamie Carragher walked through each step of the disallowed goal, and his explanation was far more detailed than Webb’s.

He showed proof that Gianluigi Donnarumma was already on his way to the opposite corner, so when Van Dijk aimed for the opposite corner, the goalkeeper’s reaction was extremely delayed.

It took the Italy international until the ball was already above Robertson’s head before Donnarumma planted his foot and pushed in the correct direction, meaning that the ducking motion could have played no part whatsoever.

It has been baffling to see Webb remain strong on his officials’ standpoint on the controversial incident while the rest of the footballing world hits out at the decision. But it appears nothing will change anytime soon.