Three stars Barcelona are following as alternatives for priority centre-back target – report | OneFootball

As has become well-established by now, FC Barcelona will sign a new centre-back in the summer transfer window.

The La Liga champions’ preference is to bring in a left-footed defender to bolster Hansi Flick’s options, and Alessandro Bastoni of Inter Milan is considered the priority target.

Informal talks have taken place with the Italian defender’s entourage, and the response has been positive.

Three alternatives being monitored

However, finances could still pose an issue for Barça, which is why they are keeping an eye out for alternative options, reports MARCA.

Indeed, as in every transfer window, Barcelona sporting director Deco is working with multiple plans in case their primary target cannot be secured.

In that context, Tottenham Hotspur mainstay Micky van de Ven is one of the alternatives that the Blaugrana are following.

Van de Ven, 24, could be poised to leave Tottenham in the summer, with the Lilywhites facing the threat of relegation from the Premier League.

Nico Schlotterbeck is still on Barcelona’s radar. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)

Another left-footed central defender that the Catalans are tracking happens to be Nico Schlotterbeck of Borussia Dortmund.

The 26-year-old defender’s contract expires in 2027, although recent reports coming out of Germany have suggested that he could be closing in on a renewal with the Black and Yellows.

Finally, the third name that Barcelona are keeping tabs on as a backup option happens to be Tottenham youngster Luka Vuskovic, who is currently on loan at Hamburg in the Bundesliga.

As per the report, the market value of Van de Ven is around €65 million, while Schlotterbeck is valued at €55 million. Vuskovic, the youngest of the options at 19 years old, has a valuation of €60 million.

Barcelona have their sights firmly set on Bastoni and the response from the Italian’s camp has also been positive. Ultimately, though, a deal will depend on reaching an agreement with Inter Milan, who could demand a significant fee.

And in the scenario that the operation does not go through, Barcelona have lined up enough quality alternatives as fallback.