Alessandro Bastoni is the subject of interest from Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal, according to his agent Tullio Tinti, speaking to Sky Sport. The defender, currently at Inter, has two years remaining on his contract, but Al-Hilal, managed by former Inter coach Simone Inzaghi, are reportedly keen to reunite the pair. Tinti stressed Bastoni’s commitment to Inter, stating he is “super in love” with the club and respects his current contract.
However, Tinti acknowledged that if Al-Hilal were to present an offer acceptable to both Inter and the player, discussions could begin. He indicated that current speculation is insufficient to initiate serious negotiations. Bastoni has been a key figure for Inter since joining from Atalanta in 2017, becoming a mainstay in their defense and winning a Serie A title in 2021.
Tinti also discussed a difficult period for Bastoni, referencing a controversial incident involving Juventus earlier in the season. He attributed the issue to “wrong rules” and praised Bastoni’s resilience in overcoming the challenge, highlighting his strong personality and dedication to Inter. The incident reportedly involved a disputed card issue during a match against Juventus.
In addition to the Bastoni update, Tinti also addressed the possibility of Andrea Pirlo taking over as manager of the Italian national team. He stated that Pirlo and Paolo Maldini “speak the same language,” having played together previously, and regularly maintain contact. Maldini is expected to have a significant role in the appointment of the new national team coach. The Italian Football Federation is considering Pirlo as a potential candidate should their pursuit of Pep Guardiola prove unsuccessful.
Should Pirlo be appointed, he would become the second member of Italy’s 2006 World Cup-winning squad to manage the national team, following Gennaro Gattuso. Pirlo’s managerial career includes a spell at Juventus, where he won the Coppa Italia and Supercoppa Italiana, but he was later dismissed due to inconsistent league form.
