Article by Daniel Scorpie – Published Wednesday, March 25, 2026, 1:37 p.m. / Updated Wednesday, March 25, 2026, 1:38 p.m.
Alessandro Bastoni (26 years old) was put by Barcelona at the head of the acquisition list in the summer mercato. The Catalan press put the Italian central defender on the cover, which the Spanish champions consider ideal for the defense of Hansi Flick.
Barcelona are in the hunt for a top stopper and have set their sights on a starter for Cristi Chivu. Alessandro Bastoni has been on the radar of the La Liga leader for several weeks, and the rumors have turned into negotiations started by the bosses of the Blaugrana club.
Barcelona daily Sport headlined today's cover “Bastoni is the chosen one. Center back becomes absolute priority: negotiations are ongoing and ways are being sought to reach an agreement with Inter. Barça are already planning their next season with clear ideas”.
Sport.es: “Bastoni is the number one target. He would be an essential element to improve the defensive level of the team”
The quoted source reveals that “there is full consensus between the sports management and Hansi Flick to complete two strategic, top transfers, with the certainty that there will be a sufficient salary margin to achieve them.
The cover of today's printed edition of Sport de Catalunia
The club has already started working to secure the services of one of them: the Italian Bastoni. He is the number one target for next season and is considered an essential element for improving the defensive level of the team.
If a few months ago the transaction seemed practically impossible, now there is optimism in Barcelona, and the process of bringing him to Barcelona is already underway”.
Sporting director Deco and coach Hansi Flick consider him ideal for the new Barça. They believe the player has grown enormously and have been impressed since the Champions League semi-final where Bastoni delivered a truly outstanding defensive and play-making performance.
“Bastoni would compensate for the unwanted departure of Íñigo Martínez last summer with his very good left and authority on the pitch. Los blaugranas believe he can become a real defensive leader, capable of providing solidity, speed and excellent build-up play from the back.
“Barcelona is waiting to be able to reduce the price of Bastoni's transfer, initially estimated at almost 80 million euros”
Deco flew to Milan in November to meet Bastoni's entourage. It was a groping meeting, but an important one to assess the player's availability to leave Inter and play for Barcelona, as well as test the possibility of a transfer in June.
Cristi Chivu used Alessandro Bastoni at Inter in 39 matches, he managed three goals and six assists / Photo: Imago
Authorized sources assure that there was a good understanding and that the feelings were more than positive, while Barcelona they are waiting to be able to reduce the price of a transaction, initially estimated at almost 80 million euros”.
The Catalans believe that time and several factors are playing in favor of Barcelona, who are beginning to consider the transaction a viable one: “Inter are willing to sell Bastoni, available in the mercato this summer. The Nerazzurri need cash to strengthen their position in Italy and believe the defender can be sold. Which is not the case with Lautaro Martínez, considered a key player.
Furthermore, the controversy surrounding the last Inter-Juventus match, where Bastoni faked a foul, causing Kalulu's red card, has caused a hostile atmosphere around the player in Serie A. Fans are protesting him in many stadiums, the pressure is not a good thing for him or Inter.
Therefore, Italians would not refuse a transfer abroad as an option to avoid further complications. Player availability could also be decisive. Bastoni is highly regarded in Europe and several Premier League clubs have approached him.
Barcelona, however, feel that the defender has already made up his mind. If he were to leave, it would only be to play at Camp Nou. He was undecided between a contract extension and a move to Barça, but now his options look increasingly towards the Catalan club.
Rejecting other offers avoids an auction that would raise the price and, in addition, his salary is considered sustainable by Barça”.
