Aheed Abrar
Manchester United to battle three Premier League clubs for Inter Milan centre-back Alessandro Bastoni
Manchester United and Chelsea are set to battle it out for Inter Milan centre-back Alessandro Bastoni. according to Gazzetta dello Sport via Caught Offside (h/t Manchester Evening News).
The 23-year-old is attracting interest from top sides around Europe. Premier League clubs Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur also have an eye on the Italian defender.
Bastoni’s current contract with Inter is in its final years. The 23-year-old’s existing deal ends in 2024. Thus, various top sides are on alert if the Nerazzurri decide to cash in on the Italian defender instead of losing him for free at the end of next season.
Having signed for Inter from Atalanta in 2017, Bastoni spent time on loan at Atalanta and Parma before playing for the Nerazzurri. And since the 2019/20 campaign, the 23-year-old has established himself in the Italian giants’ squad.
Bastoni has been important for Inter once again this season. Simone Inzaghi’s team usually play with three at the back, with the 23-year-old on the left. The Italian defender put in an impressive display in the 1-0 win against Barcelona in the Champions League at the Giuseppe Meazza.
United’s defensive options
United struggled defensively last season. The Red Devils conceded 57 goals in the Premier League. Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof and Raphael Varane were the mainstays in the backline.
Erik ten Hag was appointed United manager at the end of the previous campaign. And the Dutch manager reunited with Lisandro Martinez at the Old Trafford side.
United started the season on the back foot with losses to Brighton & Hove Albion and Brentford. However, the Red Devils have found some stability in recent times.
The pairing of Martinez and Varane has been solid for the most part. But they did falter in the 6-3 defeat against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.
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Bastoni is a young and talented defender with a very high ceiling – one that can man our backline for years to come if he does move to Old Trafford. However, whether United get their hands on the 23-year-old’s signature remains to be seen.
