FC Barcelona’s plans to reinforce their defence this summer could be dealt a major blow, with Alessandro Bastoni emerging as a prime target—but one that may prove financially out of reach.
According to Gazzetta dello Sport, Inter Milan are determined to keep hold of their defensive star and are prepared to demand a fee in the region of €70–80 million to ward off interest.
Inter’s stance: price set to scare off suitors
Inter’s strategy is clear: make any potential deal as difficult as possible. Bastoni remains a cornerstone of the team under Cristian Chivu and is under contract until June 2028, giving the Italian side complete control over negotiations.
By setting such a high valuation, Inter are effectively sending a message:
- They are not actively looking to sell
- Any deal must be on their terms
- Only an exceptional offer will be considered
Barcelona’s defensive need
For Barcelona, the interest in Bastoni is not surprising. The club has struggled with both depth and consistency at centre-back this season.
Current options include:
- Pau Cubarsi
- Eric Garcia
- Ronald Araujo
- Andreas Christensen (injury concerns)
The departure of experienced defender Inigo Martinez last summer without a direct replacement has left the squad thin—something manager Hansi Flick has reportedly been keen to address.
Deco’s long-standing interest
Barcelona’s sporting director, Deco, is said to be a major admirer of Bastoni and has reportedly made multiple visits to Milan to monitor the situation.
This is not a new link either:
- Rumours first surfaced months ago
- Social media activity from Bastoni fueled speculation
- The player later reaffirmed his commitment to Inter
Despite that, Barcelona’s interest has not gone away.
Bastoni’s importance to Inter
At 26, Bastoni is entering his prime and is widely regarded as one of Europe’s top ball-playing defenders. His contributions this season underline his value:
- 35 appearances
- 2 goals
- 6 assists
Across his Inter career:
- 293 appearances
- 8 goals
- 30 assists
- 7 trophies
His ability to combine defensive solidity with progressive passing makes him an ideal fit for Barcelona’s style—but also explains why Inter are reluctant to let him go.
Can Barcelona afford the deal?
This is where the transfer becomes complicated. Barcelona are still dealing with financial constraints, and a €70–80 million deal would represent a major investment.
To make such a move possible, they may need to:
- Sell players to raise funds
- Structure payments over several years
- Negotiate the fee down significantly
Without those adjustments, the deal risks becoming unrealistic.
Final verdict
Barcelona’s interest in Alessandro Bastoni makes perfect sporting sense—but financially, it may be a step too far.
Inter hold all the cards, and unless the Catalans can find a creative solution, their dream signing could slip away.
For now, Bastoni remains exactly where Inter want him: at the heart of their defence—and out of reach.
