Barcelona face major hurdle as €70m defensive target leaning towards continuity at current club | OneFootball

Barcelona’s pursuit of Alessandro Bastoni is beginning to look increasingly complicated, with fresh updates suggesting that the defender is far from pushing for an exit this summer.

According to Sport Italia, the Italian centre-back remains fully settled at Inter Milan, where he feels deeply connected both professionally and personally. 

This sense of belonging is proving to be a decisive factor in shaping his immediate future, especially at a time when Barcelona are actively searching for defensive reinforcements.

From Barcelona’s perspective, Bastoni ticks all the boxes. 

He is composed in possession, tactically intelligent, and perfectly suited to a system that demands ball-playing defenders. 

It is no surprise, then, that the Blaugrana view him as a priority target heading into the next transfer window.

There is a problem

However, the situation is not as straightforward as interest turning into negotiations. 

Bastoni is not actively exploring options away from Inter, and the Serie A giants themselves are under no pressure to sell. 

While Barcelona are believed to be the only club that could tempt him into considering a move, that scenario remains hypothetical at best.

Bastoni is not looking to leave Inter. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Financially, the Catalan side are prepared to match his current salary, which is estimated to be around €7 million including bonuses. 

This indicates that personal terms would not be a stumbling block if discussions were to progress. 

Instead, the real challenge lies in bridging the gap between the two clubs, something that has not even begun yet, as there has been no direct contact between Barcelona and Inter so far.

No problem with the fans

Adding further complexity is Bastoni’s recent period of scrutiny with the Italy national team. 

A difficult outing in a crucial World Cup play-off match briefly turned him into a subject of criticism across Italy. Despite that, Inter fans stood behind him.

That support appears to have played a key role in solidifying his position. 

Instead of pushing for a new challenge, Bastoni seems more inclined to continue his journey in Milan, where he feels trusted and valued.

For Barcelona, this represents a significant obstacle. Even if Inter were to entertain offers, the asking price is expected to be steep, starting at €60 million and potentially rising to €70 million with add-ons. 

Combined with the player’s current mindset, the deal looks increasingly difficult to execute.