Will Bastoni Join Liverpool? The Reds Step Up Their Search for Van Dijk’s Long-Term Successor

Liverpool are moving proactively to secure a long-term heir to Virgil van Dijk at the heart of their defence—and that ambition is almost certain to demand a major financial commitment.

During the summer transfer window, the club pushed hard to sign Crystal Palace centre-back Marc Guéhi. Personal terms were reportedly agreed, and Liverpool were even said to have settled on a £35 million fee with Palace.

However, the deal collapsed at the final moment when Palace were unable to bring in a replacement in time.

Despite that setback, Liverpool have not walked away. Guéhi remains firmly on their radar, and there is still confidence at Anfield that a move could be completed in 2026.

Even so, the Reds are expected to face fierce competition from Manchester City, Real Madrid, and Bayern Munich—although reports suggest Barcelona are unlikely to enter the race.

Long-term planning in defence has become a clear priority. Van Dijk continues to perform at an elite level, but at 34, the urgency to line up the next leader at the back is growing.

At the same time, the club is working to finalize a new contract for Ibrahima Konaté, aiming to put an end to persistent links with Real Madrid.

Bastoni has now emerged as another key target.

According to Spanish outlet Fichajes, Liverpool have identified Inter Milan and Italy international Alessandro Bastoni as a potential alternative to Guéhi. The report claims the club is prepared to submit a record €95 million bid (around £83 million) in the winter window, hoping to reinforce Arne Slot’s defence, which has shown signs of inconsistency.

The same report adds that Liverpool’s leadership wants to act “boldly,” fearing that waiting any longer could only drive Bastoni’s price higher.

The 26-year-old is viewed as an ideal successor to Van Dijk, but Liverpool are fully aware that Europe’s elite—including Manchester City, Chelsea, Real Madrid, and Paris Saint-Germain—are also monitoring his situation closely.

The deal, however, comes with significant hurdles.

First, Inter Milan are highly reluctant to sell a core player in the middle of the season. Second, the potential cost is a major obstacle—especially after Liverpool reportedly spent more than £400 million in the summer, which adds considerable financial pressure.

On top of that, Konaté’s long-term future has yet to be fully settled. Liverpool may prefer to resolve his contract situation first before committing to another huge outlay in transfer fee and wages for Bastoni.

If Liverpool were to land Bastoni, it would mark another headline-making move following their explosive 2025 summer window—when the club reportedly broke its transfer record to sign Wirtz and Isak, while also bringing in names such as Ekitiké and Frimpong.

For now, though, everything hinges on whether Liverpool can overcome the financial demands, Inter’s negotiating stance, and intense competition to pull off one of the most ambitious defensive deals in Europe.