Key week ahead as Real Madrid prepare to launch move for priority defensive target | OneFootball

According to reports in Italy, as relayed by SPORT, Real Madrid are set to intensify their pursuit of Alessandro Bastoni this week as they continue shaping Jose Mourinho’s squad ahead of the new season.

Los Blancos will begin pre-season next Monday under the Portuguese manager, who is eager to know as soon as possible the group of players he will have at his disposal.

Mourinho has requested two additional signings: a central midfielder and a centre-back.

While the shortlist for midfield remains open, Bastoni has emerged as the preferred option to strengthen the defence alongside the club’s recent arrivals Ibrahima Konate, Denzel Dumfries, and Marc Cucurella.

Real Madrid to contact Inter Milan

As per the report, Real Madrid will approach Inter Milan this week to explore the possibility of signing the Italian international.

Real Madrid want Bastoni. (Photo by Tullio M. Puglia/Getty Images)

The first step will be to determine whether the Serie A champions are willing to negotiate Bastoni’s departure.

If the Nerazzurri signals their openness to a deal, Real Madrid intend to ask for the transfer fee they would demand before deciding whether to begin formal negotiations, with the objective of completing the operation as quickly as possible.

Bastoni wants the move

One factor working in Real Madrid’s favour is the player’s desire to leave Inter. Indeed, Bastoni’s preferred destination would be the Santiago Bernabeu.

Aware of the growing interest in their defender, Inter have attempted to secure his future by offering a contract extension beyond his current deal, which expires in 2028, together with an improved salary.

However, Bastoni is said to have rejected that proposal. Moreover, it has also been claimed that the 27-year-old has turned down the possibility of joining other clubs interested in signing him.

The profile Mourinho wants

Mourinho sees Bastoni as the ideal fit. (Photo by Tullio M. Puglia/Getty Images)

Real Madrid are specifically searching for a left-footed centre-back to balance a defensive unit currently made up almost entirely of right-footed defenders.

At 27 years old, left-footed, and standing 1.90 metres tall, Bastoni fits the profile Mourinho is looking for.

Inter Milan value the defender at around €65 million, roughly matching his current market valuation, although his market value reached €80 million during last season.

Sales needed

Should Real Madrid complete the signing, the club would almost certainly need to reduce the size of their defensive roster.

At present, the first-team defence consists of 11 players: two right-backs, four left-backs, and five centre-backs.

Adding Bastoni would increase that number to 12 defenders, including six central defenders: with Eder Militao, Antonio Rudiger, Konate, Dean Huijsen, and Raul Asencio at the club.

As such, Real Madrid consider that they need to sell two defenders in the coming days.

Fran is the leading candidate to leave from the left-back position. Among the centre-backs, Asencio would likely be the player to make way for Bastoni.