No Contact Yet Between Inter Milan & Barcelona Over Italy Defender As Player Open To Move | OneFootball

Inter Milan and Barcelona have held no direct contact over Alessandro Bastoni despite the Italy defender emerging as the Catalan club’s number one summer target, with transfer expert Gianluigi Longari of Sportitalia moving to clarify the true state of affairs.

According to Longari, via FCInter1908, the valuation figures that have circulated in recent days, swinging from €50 million to €90 million, are the product of speculation rather than any genuine negotiation.

“Inter and Barcelona have never had any kind of direct contact,” he states clearly.

“The figures that have emerged as hypothetical valuations are the result of mere interpretations, or even functional to what could become a sort of arm wrestle within a negotiation that has not yet seen the light of day.”

Bastoni Open To Barcelona But Staying At Inter Milan Would Be A Decision Of The Heart

What is certain, however, is Bastoni‘s personal position.

The Inter defender views the Barcelona opportunity with genuine enthusiasm.

Longari goes further, no offer from any other club or league would attract the same level of interest from the 1999-born defender.

Barcelona’s board share that enthusiasm unanimously.

Unlike other defensive targets linked to the club, such as Croatia’s Vuskovic, Bastoni has attracted complete internal agreement as the priority signing for Hansi Flick’s backline.

The key variable remains Bastoni’s contract situation.

His current deal runs until 2028 at €5.5 million rising to around €7 million this season, signed in 2023.

Barcelona have outlined figures significantly higher than that to his agents.

Staying at Inter, therefore, would not be a financial decision. It would be a matter of loyalty and belonging.