Barcelona Make Bastoni Priority Target Despite High Transfer Fee

The transfer market doesn't usually reveal its secrets this early, but FC Barcelona have signaled their intentions loud and clear. They want Alessandro Bastoni, centre-back of Inter Milan. According to reporting on March 25, 2026, the Catalan club considers the 26-year-old Italian defender their absolute priority for the upcoming summer window.

The Pursuit Intensifies Under Deco

Here's the twist: this isn't a brand new story. It's been simmering for months. Deco, sporting director of FC Barcelona, has been personally driving the effort. Fabrizio Romano, one of Europe's most trusted transfer journalists, confirmed that Deco has visited Italy multiple times over the last four to five months just to gauge the situation around Bastoni.

You can't blame them for the push. Bastoni remains one of the most technically gifted defenders in the game. But there's a catch. He's signed until 2028. That security blanket makes him expensive for any suitor. And while reports circulated suggesting a €50 million (£43.2 million) fee might do the trick, Inter aren't biting. "They probably want more than this," Romano noted, emphasizing that the Nerazzurri haven't set a fixed asking price yet.

Bastoni Open to the Camp Nou Move

Turns out, the player himself knows exactly what's happening. Romano states that no one in Bastoni's camp is trying to kill the rumor. In fact, the opposite seems true. Bastoni views a move to Barcelona as the ideal next step for his career. It's rare when a top defender and a top club align so quickly on interest without immediate paperwork.

Still, timing matters. Right now, neither club is rushing negotiations. Inter is locked into their domestic title race, and Barcelona are fighting on multiple fronts. There are no active club-to-clube talks yet. Both sides are playing a waiting game, likely biding their time until the competitive dust settles for the 2025-26 season.

Plan B and Rival Interest

But wait—Barcelona don't bet everything on one card. While Bastoni is the dream signing, they have alternatives. Evan Dika, currently at AS Roma, is on their radar. He's cheaper and faster, though he offers a completely different technical profile. If the price gap with Inter proves too wide, Plan B could jump to the front of the queue.

Rival interest adds another layer. Liverpool Football Club had looked at Bastoni previously. However, that link has cooled considerably. Sources suggest Liverpool would act only if Inter were willing to sell for under £50 million. Since Inter demands are expected to be significantly higher, the Red Devils' interest feels like a distant possibility compared to Barcelona's sustained courtship.

What Needs to Happen Next?

The path forward depends entirely on money. Inter won't release their star defender easily; he holds a special bond with the fanbase. For this deal to happen in the summer of 2026, Barcelona will need to meet a valuation that Inter finds acceptable. If financial regulations allow, and if Deco's persistence pays off, we could see Bastoni wearing the blaugrana before anyone else even puts a bid in.