Liverpool-linked duo Alessandro Bastoni and Nicolo Barella have made “big improvements” at Serie A leaders Inter Milan, six-time Serie A winner Massimiliano Allegri has told Sky.
When Inter handed control to Antonio Conte in 2019, few would have predicted two players who were relative unknowns outside Italy at the time would form the backbone of a potential title-winning team.
Bastoni, a ball-playing, 21-year-old centre-back, hadn’t even made a first-team appearance for the Nerazzurri before Conte smashed through the San Siro doors like the human hurricane he is.
Barella, meanwhile, had his fair share of doubters after joining on an initial loan deal from Cagliari.
Flash forward to March 2021, however, and Inter are six points clear at the top of Serie A, with Bastoni and Barella blossoming into two of the most influential players in the Italian top flight.
“Nicolo Barella and Alessandro Bastoni have made big improvements,” says Allegri, the former Juventus boss who led AC Milan to their most recent Scudetto almost a decade ago, via Sempre Milan.
“Looking from the outside, I believe Inter – especially since they went out of Europe – are a team that could hold their own in a quarter-final or semi-final in the Champions League.
“Conte has been doing a great job. I think Inter could have a great Champions League campaign next season.”
According to Gazzetta dello Sport, Liverpool would be willing to pay £43 million for Bastoni. Inter Live, meanwhile, claimed Jurgen Klopp’s Premier League champions are also keen on the £56 million-rated Barella.
But with Inter keen to tie Bastoni and Barella down to new, long-term contracts, it would be a surprise if either arrived at Anfield this summer.
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