Inter Milan resigned to losing Barcelona priority target as replacement search underway | OneFootball

In a major development, Gazzetta dello Sport (h/t SPORT) reports that Inter Milan have already begun planning for the possible departure of Alessandro Bastoni to Barcelona, drawing up a list of reinforcements ahead of next season.

The 26-year-old Italian international is the priority target for the Blaugrana heading into the summer transfer window. Talks have taken place between them and the player’s camp and the outcome so far has been very positive.

Inter all but accept Bastoni’s departure

Given the situation, Inter Milan are already working on contingency plans in case they lose one of their most important players, should Barcelona succeed in presenting an offer attractive enough for them to consider a sale.

Inter’s sporting management has started outlining alternatives to rebuild its defence if Bastoni leaves.

The backline could undergo significant changes, particularly as players such as Francesco Acerbi and Stefan de Vrij are approaching the end of their contracts, which would require a broader restructuring.

Among the names under consideration, Mario Gila of Lazio stands out as a leading candidate. His former club, Real Madrid, retain 50% of any future transfer fee.

Barcelona’s main target. (Photo by Maurizio Lagana/Getty Images)

Therefore, if Inter were to sign Gila using funds received from a Bastoni sale to Barcelona, Lazio would have to pass half of that fee to Real Madrid, indirectly benefiting the Catalans’ arch-rivals.

The Nerazzurri are also evaluating other central defenders, including Joel Ordonez of Club Brugge, as well as Oumar Solet of Udinese.

Bastoni’s potential departure, with a valuation estimated between €70-80 million, would shape the pace of these movements.

Barcelona remain attentive and have not yet made a formal approach to Inter, but the club’s sporting management is actively working to structure an offer, possibly including players from Hansi Flick’s current squad, to facilitate negotiations.

Bastoni, for his part, remains focused on his commitments with Inter and the Italian national team. Privately, however, he has already given his approval for negotiations to begin between the clubs.