Inter defender Alessandro Bastoni will remain with the club, president Beppe Marotta has confirmed, quashing speculation linking the Italian international with a move to Barcelona. Marotta stated that Inter do not typically sell players unless the player expresses a desire to leave, and in Bastoni’s case, he is content in Milan.
Barcelona’s pursuit of Bastoni has cooled significantly after the Catalan club committed a substantial portion of their summer transfer budget – reportedly €80 million – to acquiring Anthony Gordon from Newcastle United, and are also exploring a move for Julian Alvarez of Atletico Madrid. This financial commitment effectively rules out a bid for the Inter centre-back. Bastoni, 25, enjoyed a strong season with Inter, playing a key role in their Serie A campaign.
The news alters Inter’s transfer strategy, reducing the immediate need to reinforce their defensive options. While the departures of Francesco Acerbi and potentially Stefan de Vrij are expected, the club is no longer under the same pressure to find direct replacements. Earlier interest in Sassuolo’s Bosian defender, Mato Muharemovic, has been tempered by the Serie A club’s firm stance on timing and price.
Sassuolo’s sporting director, Giovanni Carnevali, is adopting a wait-and-see approach, hoping that a successful showing for Muharemovic in an upcoming international tournament will increase his market value and attract bids from the English Premier League. Inter are hesitant to become involved in a bidding war, and are now considering alternative targets. Oumar Solet of Udinese remains a strong contender, valued for his age, quality, and versatility. The club is also revisiting options such as Evan Ndicka of Roma, whose price tag could be influenced by Roma’s need to raise funds to comply with UEFA’s Financial Fair Play regulations. Jhon Lucumì of Bologna, whose contract expires in 2027, is another player under consideration.
Roma manager Daniele De Rossi may prefer to sell Manu Koné over Ndicka should the club need to raise funds. Inter’s defensive recruitment will likely depend on navigating these factors and identifying a value-for-money addition to their squad.
