It looks like Inter fans should prepare for another summer where one of their best players moves on – and in 2022, it looks like defender Alessandro Bastoni could be the big casualty.
The defender has been key for the Nerazzurri over the past few seasons and appears to be attracting interest from Manchester City.
Recent reports in Italy suggested Inter have turned down a €60 million offer from the reigning Premier League champions – but would be unable to resist should bids get much higher.
City have struggled to find defenders since their influx of Monday in 2008 with only Vincent Kompany and Ruben Dias undisputed successes – and one was a replacement for the other.
One player Pep Guardiola consistently has tried to sign for his sides is Leonardo Bonucci but he was unsuccessful in his attempts to prise the defender away from Juve.
At 35 years old, Bonucci’s best days are behind him but Guardiola can punt for the man deemed his successor at international level in Bastoni.
The Inter defender, 23, is a playmaker from the back. He is comfortable with the ball at his feet and starts attacks for his side from defence.
He would be the perfect foil for Dias’ robustness and give City more balance.
Furthermore, at both club and international level, Bastoni has enjoyed the best possible education for a young defender.
He played alongside two of the modern greats in Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini for Italy and two of the best in Serie A over the past five years in Milan Skriniar and Stefan de Vrij.
Bastoni has been equally capable in a back three as well as a back two and, given his age, would represent a spectacular investment for the future.