Alessandro Bastoni has rejected a move to Premier League champions Liverpool and has no intention of leaving Inter Milan, as reported by Calciomercato.
Who can blame him, really?
While Inter are shrouded in financial uncertainty off the pitch, things are going rather well on it. Saturday’s 2-1 win at Torino – the Nerazzurri’s eighth in a row – means Antonio Conte’s side are cruising towards the Serie A title, nine points clear with two months remaining.
And, at the age of just 21, Bastoni is already one of the first names on the Inter team sheet.
The Italy international defender has been a revelation under Conte, his pinpoint positional sense and wondrous passing range marking out the former Atalanta youngster as one of Europe’s next-best centre-halves.
And while Inter Milan have yet to tie Bastoni down to a new contract, with his current deal expiring in 2023, that should change soon.
Calciomercato reports the classy, ball-playing defender turned playmaker has no plans to leave the San Siro any time soon. And, after rejecting a move to Liverpool, he will be rewarded with a substantial increase on his £25,000-a-week pay packet.
Gazzetta dello Sport backs these claims, reporting Liverpool – as well as Bayern Munich – would be happy to pay £43 million for Bastoni’s signature. But Inter won’t sell and Bastoni won’t go.
“He is very young and can improve a lot and become the new (Leonardo) Bonucci or (Giorgio) Chiellini – a great defender,” Italy boss Roberto Mancini said after handing the youngster his Italy debut against Estonia in the autumn.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
