Inter set €70m price tag for Bastoni amid Barcelona transfer interest
Inter Milan have placed a €70 million valuation on defender Alessandro Bastoni amid strong interest from Barcelona, setting the stage for a potential summer transfer standoff. The Serie A club’s sporting director, Piero Ausilio, publicly stated that any suitor must meet their asking price, effectively telling Barcelona to "talk less and act more" if they wish to secure the Italian international. According to reports from Italy, Inter’s leadership remains doubtful that Barcelona’s financial situation will allow them to meet such a demand, despite the Catalan club’s well-documented admiration for the player.
Ausilio’s comments, made to the media, served as a direct message to Barcelona president Joan Laporta and the club’s hierarchy. "Bastoni has a contract with Inter and today there are no situations that would make us think he is far from here," Ausilio said. "If someone is interested in him, they know the phone numbers and therefore must do that, they must not talk." This firm stance underscores Inter’s intention to avoid being pressured into a lower fee through public courting of the player, a common tactic in transfer negotiations. The €70 million figure is considered reflective of the current market for elite, ball-playing defenders.
While the initial demand is set, negotiations could potentially see the fee reduced to a range between €50 and €60 million, possibly including a player as part of the deal. However, even at that level, significant doubts persist within Inter about Barcelona’s ability to finance the operation. The Spanish giants remain constrained by La Liga’s financial regulations, making a major cash outlay challenging. Bastoni, 25, is under contract with Inter until 2028, giving the Italian club a strong negotiating position and no urgent need to sell.
The defender has been a cornerstone of Inter’s success in recent years, contributing to a Scudetto and multiple Coppa Italia triumphs with his left-footed distribution and defensive solidity. After missing recent matches through injury, Bastoni is nearing a return to action and is likely to be involved in Inter’s crucial Serie A run-in, which could see them clinch the title. His potential departure would represent a significant strategic loss for Inter, necessitating a costly replacement in a key position. For Barcelona, Bastoni represents a long-term target to bolster their left-sided defense, but their pursuit is entirely contingent on navigating their complex financial landscape first.
