Barcelona is making significant strides in its pursuit of central defender Alessandro Bastoni, a top priority to reinforce their defense. The Italian international is reportedly eager to join the Catalan club, following a personally underwhelming season both at club level and with the national team.
The 26-year-old Bastoni appears to be Barcelona’s prime target for the center-back position this summer, alongside their search for a new striker. Earlier reports this week indicated that the Catalan club had already engaged in discussions with Bastoni regarding his personal terms.
Bastoni Gives Green Light to Barcelona Transfer
According to journalist Matteo Moretto, reporting on TV3, Alessandro Bastoni has already given his consent to a transfer to Barcelona this summer. Moretto noted that while negotiations over personal terms are still progressing, Bastoni is highly receptive to the idea of joining the Blaugrana, making the key hurdle now an agreement between Barcelona and Inter Milan.
Path to an Agreement with Inter Milan
Moretto further suggested that he believes Inter Milan is open to facilitating a deal, a perspective that aligns with other reports from Italy. He indicated that if Bastoni formally expressed a desire to leave, an offer from Barcelona in the vicinity of €60 million, supplemented by variables, would likely result in a successful transfer.
Bastoni’s potential transfer fee has seen significant fluctuations, with some club-proximate sources stating Inter seeks €70-80 million for the Italian international, while others propose that €40-50 million might be sufficient to entice the Nerazzurri. With only two years remaining on his current contract, there are currently no indications of a renewal.
Barcelona to Facilitate Two Player Exits if Bastoni Deal Proceeds
A significant concern is whether Barcelona will proceed with the Bastoni transfer before addressing their urgent need for a striker. Such a sequence could considerably delay the deal and further raise questions about Barcelona’s financial capability to fund the transfer. Reports suggest that should Bastoni join, Sporting Director Deco intends to facilitate the departures of Andreas Christensen and Alvaro Cortes.
