Inter Milan president Giuseppe Marotta has confirmed that Barcelona hold an interest in signing the club's defender Alessandro Bastoni. The admission came just days after Inter secured their 21st Serie A title with a victory over Parma. Marotta stated that while the interest is real, no concrete negotiations have taken place. "I will not deny that there is interest from Barcelona, but it is still very superficial and nothing concrete," Marotta said, according to reports.
Crucially, Marotta emphasized that the player's future remains at San Siro unless he actively seeks a move. Bastoni, 28, is under contract with the Italian champions until June 2028. "As we have always said, a player only leaves if he expresses a desire to leave," Marotta stated. "At the moment, he is our player, he wants to stay, and we are satisfied with him." This stance places the onus for any potential transfer squarely on the player and the pursuing club.
The Italian international's season has been marked by significant on-field controversy alongside his team's success. In February, Bastoni was at the centre of a major scandal after a blatant dive led to the sending off of AC Milan's Pierre Kalulu in a crucial derby match, an act he then celebrated. His European campaign ended early as Inter were surprisingly eliminated by Bodø/Glimt in the Champions League playoffs.
On the international stage, Bastoni's year concluded in disappointment. Sent off in the first half of Italy's playoff second leg against Bosnia, he was part of the squad that failed to qualify for a third consecutive World Cup, compounding a difficult period for the defender despite his club's domestic triumph. This context makes the speculation of a fresh start in Spain somewhat understandable, even if a move is not currently advanced.
For Barcelona, Bastoni represents a potential long-term solution in central defence as they plan for the future. His ball-playing ability and left-footed profile fit the traditional Catalan defensive mold. For Inter, retaining a key pillar of their title-winning back three is a priority as they build under Simone Inzaghi. The club's firm position suggests any deal would require a substantial fee and a clear desire from the player to depart, neither of which appear present at this stage. The coming months will reveal if Barcelona's interest evolves into a formal pursuit.
