Chelsea, Manchester United, and Manchester City are all gearing up for a fierce competition to secure the services of one of Europe’s standout defenders this season. The trio from the Premier League are keen on enticing Inter Milan to part ways with their star center-back, Alessandro Bastoni, and they might initiate a bidding war by offering a whopping €100 million.
Although no club has emerged as the frontrunner, reports from Spanish outlet Fichajes suggest that Bastoni’s future seems destined for the Premier League due to the overwhelming interest from English clubs. Manchester United sees him as a potential replacement for Raphael Varane and Harry Maguire, planning to offload both players in the upcoming summer and seeking a left-sided alternative like Lisandro Martinez, who has been sidelined due to injury issues this season.
On the other hand, Chelsea views Bastoni as a long-term successor to Thiago Silva, anticipating the departure of the 39-year-old when his contract expires in the summer. Meanwhile, Manchester City, despite their significant investment in Josko Gvardiol last summer, perceive Bastoni as an opportunity to reinforce their defensive options for the future, especially with Gvardiol primarily featuring at left-back this season.
However, Inter Milan is hesitant to part ways with their star defender. Leading the Serie A with the lowest number of goals conceded this season, and with Bastoni having four years left on his contract after a recent extension, Inter has no intention of selling him. Since joining for €31 million in 2017, Bastoni has become an integral part of Inter’s squad and is expected to play a crucial role in Italy’s European Championship campaign this summer.
Known for his exceptional passing and ball control skills, as well as his aerial prowess, Bastoni has only scored four goals in nearly 200 appearances for Inter. While he was previously a target for Tottenham under Antonio Conte, the interest from the trio of Premier League clubs has persisted, and they may seize the opportunity to acquire him, considering his consistent improvement over the past few years.