Why Man City need not push too hard for Alessandro Bastoni
According to Italian publication La Gazzetta Dello Sport (h/t Daily Mail), Man City have been rebuffed in their approach to sign young defender Alessandro Bastoni from Inter Milan.
The report adds that the reigning Premier League champions tried to bring the 20-year-old to the Etihad in the January window by using Joao Cancelo as a part of a swap deal but Inter Milan have thrown that offer out of the window.
La Liga heavyweights Barcelona also made an attempt to sign Bastoni but Antonio Conte’s side are unwilling to part ways with the central defender, who has caught the eye with a string of impressive displays in the Serie A this term. (h/t Daily Mail)
Bastoni, who featured for Italy in the 2019 UEFA U21 European Championship on home soil last year, has clocked up 11 appearances for the Nerazzurri across all competitions so far this season, including nine starts in the Serie A.
However, the talented youngster hasn’t been a regular starter under Conte, with stalwarts like Milan Skriniar and Stefan de Vrij in the mix at the San Siro.
Bastoni started his footballing education at Atalanta in Italy before earning a move to Inter Milan back in the summer of 2017 but he spent the last two campaigns on loan at his former club and Parma to gain more professional exposure in the top-flight.
Realistically, Man City’s interest in signing in new central defender hardly comes as a big surprise, given that their problems at the back have derailed their pursuit of a third consecutive Premier League title under Pep Guardiola.
The Citizens have already shipped 27 goals in 24 games so far, which is four more than their tally of 23 goals conceded over the entirety of the previous campaign.
City went into the ongoing campaign with depleted depth at the back following the departure of Vincent Kompany. The long-term injury to Aymeric Laporte early in the season has forced Guardiola to shoehorn Fernandinho into a central defensive role alongside Nicolas Otamendi.
Verdict
Alessandro Bastoni has impressed at Inter Milan in the Serie A this term but Man City would be better off looking at more established options in the market.
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Having said that, the Citizens shouldn’t push too hard for the Inter Milan starlet after having their bid rejected by the Serie A giants.