Bastoni Price Tag Proves Steep as Liverpool Turn Attention to Van de Ven

Liverpool's defensive recruitment puzzle continues to mount as the summer window looms, with the Merseyside club casting their net across Europe in search of reinforcements at centre-back.

The Reds' backline troubles have been well documented this season. After a title-winning campaign under Arne Slot, Liverpool sit sixth in the Premier League and face a genuine threat of Champions League football slipping through their fingers. The problems began early, with Marc Guehi's move from Crystal Palace collapsing at the eleventh hour before the window shut. Matters worsened in September when new Parma arrival Giovanni Leoni suffered a season-ending injury, leaving Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahim Konate as the primary options—though neither has hit their usual heights. Joe Gomez has stepped in when needed, though his injury record remains a concern.

Adding to the headache, Konate appears destined for pastures new. Real Madrid are reportedly closing in on the France international as a free agent next summer, further depleting an already stretched defensive resource.

Jeremy Jacquet will arrive from Rennes to bolster the ranks, yet the club clearly needs additional business in that area to be properly equipped for next season.

The Bastoni Conundrum

Inter Milan's Alessandro Bastoni has naturally emerged as a target, but the Italian side are not about to let their lynchpin depart on the cheap. According to reports, bids exceeding £80million would merely open negotiations—a hefty asking price even for a club of Liverpool's stature. Whether Bastoni himself fancies a new adventure remains another consideration entirely.

Barcelona's interest in the centre-back has been mooted, though transfer analyst Fabrizio Romano suggested the Catalan club may struggle to compete financially. With Barcelona earmarking around €30million for Marcus Rashford and still hunting for a striker, their capacity to fund a Bastoni deal appears questionable. That leaves the door slightly ajar for Liverpool, though the sheer cost remains prohibitive.

Van de Ven the Likelier Prize

Tottenham's Micky van de Ven, by contrast, represents a more attainable target. The Dutch defender is expected to seek an exit from north London this summer, and Football Insider's Pete O'Rourke suggests the Reds are leading the race for his signature. Van de Ven would be a considerably more realistic prospect than chasing Inter's crown jewel.

However, the Netherlands international's conduct has raised eyebrows. Earlier this season, he was spotted publicly disagreeing with Thomas Frank following a Chelsea defeat—a display that may not sit well with potential suitors. Former Liverpool defender Glen Johnson voiced concerns about such behaviour, arguing that while dressing room disagreements are healthy, public dissent sends the wrong message. "Managers need to know that ability alone isn't enough," Johnson noted, suggesting players must be willing to do what their team requires. The perception that a player considers himself above the collective can prove off-putting to clubs evaluating potential signings.

Johnson also questioned whether Tottenham's current predicament—with the club battling relegation—makes their players particularly attractive propositions, though he acknowledged a few gems might be available at bargain rates.