Liverpool eyeing €80 million Real Madrid-linked defender

Real Madrid did not solve their centre-back problem this summer. Los Blancos were already light on options there and saw Nacho Fernandez leave on top of that. David Alaba is yet to return from his injury and might not be back for a few more months at the very least. But if there is one thing we have learned about the club in recent years, it is that they will stick to their plans.

Leny Yoro is someone Real Madrid were heavily linked with Real Madrid this summer. He eventually ended up joining Manchester United. Aaron Anselmino was also rumoured to be a transfer target before he joined Chelsea. Riccardo Calafiori moved to Arsenal.

When Real Madrid do not land their top transfer targets, rarely do they change course and sign someone else in that very same window. Los Blancos like to be certain that they are signing the right player. That is one of the major reasons why their recruitment record has been so good in recent years.

Another centre-back Real Madrid had been linked with recently is Inter Milan's Alessandro Bastoni. But rumours suggested that the club were unwilling to shell out the €80 million fee the Italian club would ask for to part ways with him. Now, it looks like he is on the radar of another Premier League club.

Liverpool eyeing €80 million Real Madrid-linked defender

As tweeted by Francois Plateau, Liverpool have been tracking RB Leipzig’s Castello Lukeba, Inter’s Bastoni and Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite. They could make a last-minute bid for one if Joe Gomez departs this week.

Bastoni has been an exceptional defender for Inter Milan over the years, having joined the club from Atalanta. He has won a couple of Serie A titles, a couple of Coppa Italia titles and made it to the final of both the Champions League and Europa League.

It remains to be seen what Real Madrid's long-term plans are for the centre-back situation. At the moment, they seem comfortable despite their lack of depth in the position.