Liverpool reportedly want 21-year-old centre-back tipped to become the new Paolo Maldini

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Liverpool are reportedly interested in Alessandro Bastoni, a player who has been compared to the legendary Paolo Maldini.

According to Gazzetta dello Sport, the Reds will be in the market for new recruits in the summer, and the Inter Milan defender is on their radar.

The report claims Liverpool have been keeping tabs on Bastoni’s performances in recent months and would be prepared to spend up to £43million for the 21-year-old.

However, Anfield could face stiff competition to secure his services, given he’s reportedly also attracting interest from Bayern Munich and Barcelona.

Bastoni has made 32 appearances in all competitions for Inter this term and has helped Antonio Conte’s side go nine points clear at the top of the Serie A table.

In January, agent Tullio Tinti claimed that only Maldini “played at the same level” as Bastoni “at his age”.

“A predestined one,” Tinti told Rai Radio 1 Sport, translated by Football Italia. “I have never seen anyone play at his level, at his age, if not maybe Maldini.

“He has a bright future ahead of him and he deserves it.”

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Bastoni has shown he’s a cut above, putting in world-class performances for Italy’s table-toppers that suggest he’s got a career at the very top.

At just 21, he’s already got 65 competitive senior appearances for the Nerazzurri as well as three caps for the Azzurri.

His contract runs until 2023, so Inter’s hand isn’t especially strong, and with Liverpool having had problems at the back all season, they could certainly do with a player of his calibre.