Alessandro Bastoni has indicated his desire to stay at Inter Milan this summer, dealing a setback to Barcelona’s transfer ambitions, according to reports from Gazzetta dello Sport in Italy.
The 27-year-old defender has become a key figure for Inter, contributing to their recent success which included a Serie A and Coppa Italia double this season, bringing his total trophy count with the club to nine major honours. His consistent performances have attracted interest from Barcelona, who view him as a potential solution to reshape their defensive options.
Barcelona manager Hansi Flick is reportedly seeking a left-footed centre-back to allow young Pau Cubarsi to play on the right side of defence, with Bastoni identified as their primary target, as reported by The Athletic. However, the Spanish club may face difficulties in meeting Inter’s valuation, which has been estimated around €80million (£69.2m) by various sources.
Bastoni’s willingness to remain at the San Siro stems from his happiness with the club following their recent triumphs, as well as a desire to avoid potential hostility from opposition fans. The Italy international was subjected to criticism after being sent off in the World Cup play-off defeat against Bosnia and Herzegovina, which led to Italy failing to qualify for the tournament for the third consecutive time.
Should Bastoni choose to stay with Inter, it would further complicate Barcelona’s transfer plans, potentially impacting their pursuit of other targets like Joao Pedro, should incoming Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso wish to retain him. Barcelona’s interest in Julian Alvarez has also reportedly cooled due to Atletico Madrid’s high valuation of €150million (£130m).
Bastoni initially joined Inter from Atalanta in August 2017 for a fee of €31million (£27m), spending the 2017-18 season on loan with Atalanta and the following season with Parma. He became a regular fixture in the Inter squad from the 2019-20 season onwards, amassing 298 appearances and playing a crucial role in securing three Serie A titles, three Coppa Italia trophies, and reaching the Champions League final in both 2023 and 2025.
