Barcelona Reportedly Earmark Inter Cornerstone

Barcelona have placed Inter Milan’s Alessandro Bastoni on a shortlist of left-footed defenders capable of contributing to the club’s build-up play, according to Mattia Moretto (via SOSFanta), setting the stage for a potential summer tug-of-war at San Siro.

The 26-year-old Italian international, who has amassed nearly 300 club appearances since arriving from Atalanta for €31 million in 2018, fits the profile the Catalan giants are seeking as they prepare for life after the upcoming presidential elections. Sources close to the Blaugrana say the front office is “very keen” on the Nerazzurri stalwart, though any approach would require what is described as a “humongous offer” merely to open negotiations.

Inter, meanwhile, are actively hunting for fresh centre-back talent to refresh an ageing corps, yet their priority remains retaining Bastoni. Talks over an extension have begun, with the defender’s current deal running until 2028. While no agreement has been finalised, the player is said to be “very focused and attached” to the club where he solidified his reputation after a formative loan spell at Parma.

Should renewal discussions stall before the summer window, Barcelona could sense an outside opportunity, provided Bastoni signals willingness to entertain the move. For now, the operation remains “in its infancy,” with insiders dismissing the links as routine election-period chatter designed to showcase ambitious targets. The speculation also serves Bastoni’s camp in leverage for improved terms, a common dynamic when a high-profile contract is on the table.

Despite Inter’s need to balance the books following an early Champions League exit, the expectation inside the club is that the partnership with Bastoni will continue for the foreseeable future, anchoring a back line that has become synonymous with his calm distribution and tactical intelligence.