Liverpool on alert over move for €75m elite defender in 2026 | OneFootball

Liverpool Transfer Succession Plan Takes Shape as Bastoni Door Opens

Liverpool’s long term defensive planning has taken an intriguing turn, with fresh information credited to TeamTalk suggesting Inter Milan star Alessandro Bastoni is increasingly open to a potential move abroad in 2026. While there is no immediate urgency at Anfield, the significance of this update should not be underestimated as the club quietly prepares for life after Virgil van Dijk.

Van Dijk remains a colossal presence and, at 34, continues to perform at an elite level. Liverpool’s decision to hand him a new two year deal over the summer was as much about continuity as leadership. Yet, senior figures inside the club are realistic. When that deal expires in 2027, a generational replacement will be required, not merely a squad option.

Bastoni’s name has been on Liverpool’s radar before, but sources now indicate a shift in the defender’s outlook. According to a well placed source speaking to TeamTalk, “Alessandro is happy at Inter, and in Italy, but at 26, there is the belief he might look to try his hand abroad. He is at the top of his game, and not many in the world currently compare to him. 2026 is going to be a big year for him.”

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Van Dijk Succession Already Underway

Liverpool’s recruitment model rarely waits for a crisis point. Van Dijk himself was secured before Dejan Lovren’s decline became terminal, and the same thinking applies here. Bastoni fits the profile perfectly, elite level experience, Champions League pedigree, and tactical intelligence to thrive in Arne Slot’s system.

The Italian international has already amassed 278 appearances for Inter since 2019, contributing to two Champions League finals and seven major honours. His blend of composure, distribution and physical presence explains why he is widely viewed as one of the finest centre backs in world football.

Bastoni’s Stance and Inter Reality

Publicly, Bastoni has sought to downplay speculation. Speaking ahead of the Italian Super Cup semi final against Bologna, he said, “Rumours about my future? These things make me proud; it means I’m doing well, but like you, I read the papers too. There’s nothing going on; I’m happy here, and I don’t have any problems. I don’t think about things outside the pitch. Will I stay at Inter? Probably yes.”

Privately, however, intermediaries appear to be laying groundwork. His contract runs until 2028, but with two years remaining by summer 2026, Inter may be forced into pragmatic thinking.

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Competition From Europe’s Elite

Liverpool will not have a clear run. Manchester City and Chelsea are monitoring developments closely, while Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Paris Saint Germain are also being kept informed. Inter’s valuation of around €75m reflects both Bastoni’s standing and the anticipated demand.

For Liverpool, patience will be key. This is a deal shaped by timing rather than impulse.

Our View – EPL Index Analysis

As a Liverpool fan, this report feels like exactly the kind of forward thinking that has underpinned recent success. Slot’s title winning debut season reinforced that Liverpool are not drifting into a post Klopp hangover, they are evolving. Planning for Van Dijk’s eventual successor now, rather than scrambling later, reflects a club operating with clarity.

Bastoni looks like a natural heir. He brings authority without needing to dominate every headline, much like Van Dijk did upon arrival. The idea of pairing him with Liverpool’s existing defensive options in a Slot system that values structure and bravery on the ball is genuinely exciting.

There is also reassurance in Liverpool being named among a select group of clubs. Being informed early matters. Even if competition intensifies, Liverpool’s recent trophies, clear sporting project, and Slot’s immediate impact strengthen their pitch considerably.

Supporters will also appreciate the calm tone around timing. No one is calling for Van Dijk to be replaced tomorrow. Instead, this feels like respectful succession planning, honouring a legend while ensuring standards never drop.

If 2026 truly is “going to be a big year for him”, Liverpool being ready could make all the difference.