Inter are hoping that they can keep hold of defender Alessandro Bastoni, but believe that in the event that he is sold they have the perfect replacement lined up in the form of RB Leipzig defender Josko Gvardiol.

This according to today’s print edition of Turin-based newspaper Tuttosport, who report that the Nerazzurri feel that Gvardiol would be the ideal candidate for a replacement should they be forced into a sale of Bastoni.

Bastoni is a crucial player to the Nerazzurri’s style of play, and in the event that the 23-year-old were to be sold as the team face the need to cash in on a big name player for financial reasons then they would look to replace him with a similar profile.

Gvardiola is left-footed like Bastoni and both defensively adept but also more than capable in the buildup phase and capable of roaming into the final third like Bastoni.

The Croat is capable of playing at both centre-back and left-back, and could slot in seamlessly to the Nerazzurri’s backline.