Inter defender Alessandro Bastoni is a potential target for Real Madrid following José Mourinho’s appointment as manager, according to reports in Italy. The 25-year-old centre-back has been a key player for Inter since joining from Atalanta in 2017, making over 180 appearances for the Nerazzurri and becoming a regular in the Italian national team.
Barcelona have also previously expressed interest in Bastoni, but Inter’s asking price of at least €70 million may prove prohibitive for the Catalan club. The financial situation at Real Madrid could make a move more feasible, especially given Mourinho’s desire to overhaul the team’s defence. The Portuguese manager is reportedly seeking a “revolución” in the backline, with several current players potentially departing.
David Alaba, Dani Carvajal, and Antonio Rüdiger are all nearing the end of their contracts, creating a need for reinforcements. Currently, Real Madrid’s central defensive options beyond those players include Dean Huijsen, Raul Asencio, and Éder Militão. Militão has struggled with injuries in recent seasons, most recently suffering a torn femoral biceps tendon that ruled him out of the World Cup, and has played only 21 matches this season.
Bastoni recently ‘liked’ an Instagram post announcing Mourinho’s return to the Bernabéu, a gesture some are interpreting as a sign of his openness to a move. Following Inter’s Serie A title win, Bastoni received a warm reception from fans, indicating his desire to remain with the club, but the allure of playing under Mourinho and joining one of Europe’s biggest clubs could prove strong. A move to Madrid would provide Bastoni with a new challenge in a different league, and potentially elevate his profile further on the international stage.
