MY ACCOUNT
Manchester City and Manchester United are ready to lock horns over Inter Milan defender Alessandro Bastoni.
Fichajes report that the 24-year-old Italy international is looking increasingly likely to depart the Nerazzurri this summer, with talks over a contract extension having stalled in recent weeks.
Bastoni’s current deal only runs for one more season and it is thought a £46million bid would be enough to tempt Inter into a sale.
City — who are still chasing down a historic treble — supposedly view him as an ideal replacement for Aymeric Laporte, who has been linked with a move away from the Etihad.
Such a scenario would see Bastoni compete with John Stones, Nathan Ake, Ruben Dias and Manuel Akanji for three central defensive slots in Pep Guardiola’s preferred system.
Meanwhile, United would expect the 17-cap international to challenge Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane for a regular starting spot in their side.
Erik ten Hag is ready to shake up his backline with Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof both expected to depart Old Trafford in the off-season.
Bastoni has made 33 appearances in all competitions this term and has already tasted Serie A, Coppa Italia and European Championship success in the early years of his career.
In other news
Italian journalist Nicolo Shira claims Roma are leading the chase for wantaway Liverpool striker Roberto Firmino.
Chelsea are considering selling up to eight players this summer according to The Sun, with Mason Mount, N’Golo Kante and Mateo Kovacic among those who may depart.
Fulham have slapped a £60m price tag on star midfielder Joao Palhinha to try and ward off interest from the likes of Manchester United, say The Metro.
