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Jermaine Pennant says Liverpool should set their sights on Inter Milan centre-back Alessandro Bastoni following Jeremy Jacquet's imminent arrival. The Reds are on the verge of securing the 20 year old's services after pipping Chelsea and Manchester United to his capture.

The Rennes sensation had attracted serious attention from the London outfit before Liverpool stepped in and struck a £55million agreement plus £5million in add-ons for a summer transfer. Jacquet's summer switch won't address the Reds' current defensive crisis, with Giovanni Leoni, Conor Bradley, Joe Gomez and Jeremie Frimpong all ruled out through injury.

Liverpool face a dilemma with Ibrahima Konate poised to leave when his deal expires, unless his contractual situation gets sorted. Additionally, skipper Virgil van Dijk has just over 12 months left on his agreement come summer after signing a two-year extension last term.

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Pennant believes Jacquet arrives with an impressive reputation, though whilst there are doubts over his ability to deliver, he views it as a thrilling acquisition.

Speaking on behalf of BetSelect.co.uk, he said: "Initial reaction is good because we need defenders. I know it's not in January [that he's signing] but we don't know the situation with [Ibrahima] Konate so we are going to be left light. 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 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.

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"I don't think he'll be a starter straight away, especially if Konate is still there. I think this is more for the future. Yes, he'll have a big part to play next season, I'm sure, but to be a regular star, I don t know.

"But saying that, he could have a fantastic pre-season, he could maybe get the nod in the first game of season and then claim that spot. So, I think there is still questions to be asked then. We probably will find out what part he is going to play in the squad next season.

"But I think this signing is potentially, it could be, you know, a starter straight way, or it could to rejuvenate the team with when Giovanni Leoni comes back. That could be the kind of future where we're going."

Liverpool did attempt to bolster their ranks during the closing stages of the January transfer window but were unsuccessful in their pursuit of Lutsharel Geertruida after his switch from RB Leipzig collapsed due to Sunderland's failure to secure a replacement for the versatile defender. Arne Slot should have Leoni available for pre-season training before the 2026/27 campaign kicks off.

Pennant feels that 26-year-old Bastoni would be a good option to bring in.

He explained: "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 centre-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."

He continued: "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."