At a glance
- Alessandro Bastoni is FC Barcelona’s top target this summer.
- After they wrapped up the Serie A title, however, Inter Milan’s Sporting Director Piero Ausilio said that the Italians want to keep the centre back.
- Reports at the weekend suggested Barca can get their man for between €60-65 million.
Inter Milan Sporting Director Piero Ausilio possibly dealt a blow to FC Barcelona’s hopes of landing Alessandro Bastoni this summer by stating the club wants to keep the centre back.
Along with Julian Alvarez, Bastoni is Barca’s leading transfer target this summer. Aged 27, the Italian is entering his prime. He’d be the perfect partner for Pau Cubarsi, in the heart of Hansi Flick‘s backline.
Before the weekend, Reshad Rahman reported how Bastoni is still on the table for the Catalans. According to transfer market experts, he’ll cost them a reasonable €60-65 million.
After the Nerazzurri wrapped up a third Serie A title in six years with a 2-0 home win over Parma, however, Ausilio spoke about the defender.
“We haven’t received any offers regarding Bastoni,” Ausilio confirmed. “He’s a valuable player for Inter and for Italy. A strong player, an incredible player, and we want to keep him.”
Retaining Barcelona target Bastoni ties in with Inter’s policy
“In recent years we have always tried to look favorably on Italians. Italian talents are there. Patience is needed to let them grow calmly. We must look for quality,” Ausilio demanded.
“We want a mix of youth and experience. We’ve started this year and will continue like this. Even those who have arrived this year will grow more. Other young people will arrive too,” Ausilio further told QSVS.
Despite Ausilio’s public posturing, however, SPORT report on Monday that Inter are open to talks and will accept the mentioned price for Barca.
Still, in times of trying to return to the 1:1 rule under Financial Fair Play limits, €60 million is still a bit expensive for the Blaugrana, who will offer players as bargaining chips.
Claims like this are always hard to believe, as it’s some years since the La Liga giants were involved in a part exchange deal. Still, at present, players like Ferran Torres and Marc Casado are on the chopping block while linked with moves away from the Spotify Camp Nou.
In a season where Barca didn’t keep a single clean sheet in Europe and failed to reach the semifinals that Bastoni’s knocked them out of last term, defensive improvements are needed. Bastoni is worth making sacrifices for, and could be the missing ingredient after landing a world class goalkeeper in Joan Garcia.
