Barcelona's pursuit of Inter defender Alessandro Bastoni has been put on hold as the club is hesitant to invest more than €50m on a new centre-back. According to Italian transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, the Barcelona board has identified Bastoni as an ideal reinforcement in central defence, but talks between the two clubs are currently stalled.
Background on the Transfer
Spanish media have been reporting that €50m would be enough to sign the Italy international, but Inter have never set an asking price. The Nerazzurri consider Bastoni one of the best central defenders in the world and are unlikely to accept offers around €40-50m.
Barcelona's Transfer Plans
Barcelona have already planned to sign a few reinforcements this summer, including a centre-forward to replace Robert Lewandowski, a centre-back, a winger, and potentially a full-back. Investing €65-70m on Bastoni would affect their spending power to strengthen other areas of the pitch.
Negotiations at a Standstill
Romano insists there isn't an asking price for Bastoni, and Inter have not received any formal offers from Barcelona. The Nerazzurri directors believe the Catalans won't offer more than €50m this summer, a fee that will be nowhere near enough to convince them to sell the 27-year-old.
Barcelona's decision to put talks on hold is a sensible one, given their need to strengthen multiple areas of the pitch. However, if they are serious about signing Bastoni, they will need to be prepared to meet Inter's valuation. The Italian club is under no pressure to sell, and Barcelona will need to be creative in their negotiations.
The halt in talks between Barcelona and Inter could have significant implications for both clubs. If Barcelona are unable to sign Bastoni, they may need to look elsewhere for a centre-back, which could impact their overall transfer strategy. For Inter, retaining Bastoni would be a major boost, but they may need to consider selling him in the future if they are to balance their books.
Frequently Asked Questions
Barcelona have put talks with Inter over Alessandro Bastoni on hold due to their reluctance to exceed €50m for a centre-back.
Inter consider Bastoni one of the best central defenders in the world and are unlikely to accept offers around €40-50m.
Barcelona have planned to sign a few reinforcements this summer, including a centre-forward, a centre-back, a winger, and potentially a full-back.