Guardiola tells Man City next defender to sign as feeling grows over £100,000-per-week agreement

Pep Guardiola is trying to persuade Manchester City to sign Alessandro Bastoni from Inter Milan, according to a report in Italy.

Bastoni is approaching the final year of his contract with Inter, which has led to some exit links. Man City are long-term admirers of the 23-year-old and their interest has been reiterated in an update from Calciomercato.

According to the report, Guardiola has indicated to Man City that they should be pursuing Bastoni if he becomes available.

As a left-footed defender, he could in theory become a replacement for Aymeric Laporte, who has been linked with an exit from the Etihad Stadium after a reduction in his gametime.

It has previously been claimed that Inter will put Bastoni on the market if they fail to agree a contract extension with him, which might raise City’s hopes. Bastoni has also been linked with Chelsea as the main part of an exchange deal involving Trevoh Chalobah.

However, Calciomercato now reflects a growing confidence that Bastoni and Inter may yet be able to reach an agreement to continue together.

Staying at Inter is still Bastoni’s priority, according to the report. In fact, an agreement could be found for his salary to increase to somewhere around €6million per season, plus bonuses.

His base earnings could therefore come to just over £100,000 per week.

How likely is Man City target Bastoni to be available?

All might not be lost for City, though. There have even been suggestions recently that Inter might have to sell Bastoni even after extending his contract, due to their current financial concerns.

The latest from Calciomercato doesn’t give the impression that such an outcome will materialise, though. Rather, the report says a new deal for Bastoni would go some way to ending rumours about a move to the Premier League.

Keeping the Italy international has become of heightened importance to Inter as they brace themselves for the loss of Milan Skriniar on a free transfer.

To fill the void, they have been linked with Man Utd’s Victor Lindelof. Some degree of continuity will be important for Inter, though, which is why securing Bastoni for the long term will benefit them.

City might have to look elsewhere for a Laporte replacement. But until Bastoni signs anything at Inter, they ought to be keeping an eye on him still.

Bastoni has become one of Serie A’s best defenders at a relatively young age. He has reached the landmark of 150 appearances for Inter and could have many more to come.

City’s interest is only natural, but it looks as if Bastoni may be out of reach for them after all.

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