Arsenal could give Barcelona boost in bid to sign world class defender | OneFootball

Barcelona have plans to sign a new centre-back this summer, with their leading target being Inter’s Alessandro Bastoni. Within Can Barca, there is growing confidence that a deal can be done for the 26-year-old, although it will not be easy to convince the Nerazzurri to part ways with one of their star players.

What will make it easier is if Inter can sign a replacement ahead of time, and their chances of doing so could be set to increase. As per CaughtOffside, they have identified Riccardo Calafiori as their prime target, and the Arsenal man is said to be very open to a return to the Serie A.

Furthermore, Arsenal would prefer to sell Calafiori abroad, rather than to be a Premier League rival – Chelsea are said to be interested in his services, which could complicate matters for Inter amid their bid to sign their ideal Bastoni replacement.

Barcelona would desperately love Inter to secure the services of Calafiori, as it would greatly increase their chances of landing Bastoni. The fact that he would prioritise a return to Italy definitely plays in their favour, and this will give them even more hope of landing their own leading centre-back target.

Flick and Deco pushing for Bastoni

In recent weeks, it has been established that Bastoni is the player to solve Barcelona’s defensive woes. Hansi Flick and Deco are in agreement regarding the Inter man, whom they see as the ideal centre-back to come into the defence for next season and beyond.

It remains to be seen whether Barcelona are able to secure the services of Bastoni this summer. Much will depend on their ability to spend big in the transfer market, which will be dictated by whether they are back within La Liga’s 1:1 rule by the time the start of July comes around.