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Liverpool is yet to feel the full benefit of going big in the summer transfer window, but the investment in players like Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz is likely to pay off in the long term.
In 2026, the Reds might need to make some more moves, too, with center-back appearing to be an emerging priority for a variety of reasons. Decisions on contracts —whether to offer them to certain players, and whether agreements can be reached — will also play into what needs to happen in the market.
Here is the Liverpool.com verdict on the latest transfer gossip to emerge around the Reds. There are two big names being linked.
Alessandro Bastoni (Inter Milan)
With Ibrahima Konate not yet tied down to a contract extension and Virgil van Dijk now 35, Football Insider reports that Liverpool could look to sign Inter Milan center-back Alessandro Bastoni in 2026.
Marc Guehi, the Crystal Palace captain, is another target, and he almost signed for the Premier League champion on deadline day before that move broke down at the last minute when Oliver Glasner failed to source a replacement.
Bastoni, 26, moved to Inter from Atalanta in 2017 and has since played more than 270 games. A fee of around $103 million (£79 million) is suggested as his valuation.
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While Joe Gomez has drawn interest from elsewhere in the last couple of summers, Liverpool cannot afford to lose him mid-season, especially after the long-term injury to Giovanni Leoni.
Next year could be a time to reshape things at the back, though, for Arne Slot, with question marks, for different reasons, over all three of the senior options currently at his disposal.
Liverpool.com says: Bastoni is a world-class center-back and at 26, he would arrive at the same age Van Dijk was when he came in from Southampton. He has been linked with a move many times before, however, and nothing has happened yet.
Vitinha (PSG)
According to Caught Offside, Liverpool could look to bring Vitinha back to the Premier League from Paris Saint-Germain in January or next summer. The 25-year-old is one of the most technically gifted midfielders in soccer.
Vitinha is under contract until 2029, though, and PSG would be reluctant to lose him. He previously played for Wolves in England, but that move didn't work out, and he might feel he has unfinished business.
Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Juventus, and Arsenal are also said to be watching Vitinha, in case he becomes available.
Liverpool already has the likes of Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister, but another quality player would significantly increase the depth of options available to Arne Slot.
Liverpool.com says: Signing another midfield option would be a good idea for Liverpool, upgrading on Wataru Endo, who is barely used. Rotating Gravenberch and Mac Allister more will mean they can stay fresher for longer.
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