Jermaine Pennant names Liverpool's 'next signing' after Jeremy Jacquet transfer

Former Liverpool winger Jermaine Pennant believes the Reds should target Inter Milan defender Alessandro Bastoni after agreeing to a deal for Jeremy Jacquet from Rennes

Jermaine Pennant wants Liverpool to make a late signing(Image: Getty Images)

Jermaine Pennant has suggested that Liverpool should set its sights on Inter Milan defender Alessandro Bastoni, following the arrival of Jeremy Jacquet.

The Reds are on the verge of securing the 20-year-old's services, having beaten Chelsea and Manchester United in the race for his signature. Jacquet was courted by Chelsea before Liverpool swooped in, but the player will not move to Merseyside until the summer.

As such, Jacquet's transfer won't immediately address Liverpool's defensive woes, with Giovanni Leoni, Conor Bradley, Joe Gomez and Jeremie Frimpong all currently out injured. Liverpool faces a dilemma as Ibrahima Konate is likely to leave at the end of the season if his contract situation remains unresolved.

Additionally, captain Virgil van Dijk will have just over a year left on his contract this summer, having signed a two-year deal last season.

Pennant acknowledges that Jacquet comes with high praise, but while there are doubts about his ability to deliver, he views it as an exciting acquisition.

He told the Liverpool ECHO, speaking on behalf of BetSelect.co.uk: "Initial reaction is good because we need defenders.

"I know it's not in January, but we don't know the situation with Konate, so we are going to be left light.

Jermaine Pennant believes Liverpool should target Alessandro Bastoni(Image: Getty Images)

"The fact that we've already got one in before the summer window, we're not running and chasing, we're on the front foot, it's good.

"It's his first season, so there's still going to be a lot of questions. I know there's a lot of people raving about him.

"There's still gonna be a lot of questions, 'Can he do it in the Premier League?' We are still yet to see that. But it's a signing, everyone likes new signings."

Pennant believes Liverpool should try to sign Bastoni before the transfer window closes on Monday. He added: "I also like the sound and I like the looks of Bastoni at Inter Milan.

"I think he's a player that can play across the back, he can play left back, we've seen him play left-back for Inter Milan and he's also playing there as center-back as well and that's where we're looking at and if we look at the way Liverpool play, the defenders do have a lot of time on the ball because everyone sits back and does that low block.

"I think if we've got defenders who are good on the ball, brings the ball coming forward, out of possession, good passing range, I think that would help us a lot. Konate kind of struggles when it comes to that kind of area of the technical ability side of things.

"So Bastoni would probably be a good addition."