Barcelona’s stance on Alessandro Bastoni transfer after red card for Italy revealed

Barcelona have not been deterred by Alessandro Bastoni’s mid-week dismissal for Italy and remain committed to securing the defender’s signature this summer, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.

Bastoni’s red card in Tuesday’s World Cup play-off final against Bosnia and Herzegovina proved pivotal, as the Azzurri lost the subsequent penalty shoot-out and missed out on a place at the tournament. The centre-back’s sending-off compounded a difficult period in which he has also been booed by sections of Serie A supporters.

Despite the scrutiny, Romano reports that Barcelona’s interest is unchanged. “For Barcelona there are no doubts about the quality of Bastoni as a player,” he said on his YouTube channel. “He has shown with Inter in recent years so for sure Barcelona want Bastoni. They are in contact with his camp. The exchanges on the contract, the salary, have already started.”

The Catalan club’s pursuit is complicated by two factors: Inter’s valuation and Barcelona’s ongoing financial constraints. Inter have yet to name an official asking price, but sources indicate that the Nerazzurri have already dismissed the idea of accepting €50 million for the 25-year-old. Formal negotiations between the clubs have not commenced, leaving the eventual fee uncertain.

Bastoni is understood to be open to a new challenge, and Barcelona hope to capitalise on that sentiment. Yet any deal will hinge on how high Inter set their valuation and whether Barcelona can structure a transfer within La Liga’s financial limits.