Barcelona’s plans for the summer transfer window appear to be undergoing another adjustment. One of the club’s previously admired defensive targets is now looking increasingly out of reach.
For several months, Alessandro Bastoni was viewed as a profile that perfectly suited the kind of backline Hansi Flick wants to build. At one stage, there was a growing belief that Deco considered the Italian international among the strongest candidates to reinforce the defence.
But football transfers rarely depend on sporting desire alone.
Barcelona pressed the pause button
As the market evolved, the financial side of the operation became a major obstacle.
Inter Milan made it clear from the beginning that any negotiation involving Bastoni would require an enormous investment. Figures around €70m have consistently been mentioned in Italy.
That valuation complicated Barcelona’s plans. With the Catalan side already focusing heavily on strengthening multiple attacking areas this summer, committing such a large amount to a centre back gradually became less realistic.
Over recent weeks, signs of a slowdown in the operation became increasingly visible. Now, Inter president Giuseppe Marotta has effectively confirmed what many around Barcelona had already started to suspect.
What was said?
Speaking publicly about the defender’s future, Marotta left little room for interpretation regarding Inter’s intentions.
“We are not, in principle, sellers. If a player leaves, it is he who has expressed a desire to leave. I must say that Bastoni has not expressed a desire to leave,” Marotta said, as per SPORT.
“He is happy here and we have no need to sell him. I think he will stay with us for the time being.”
Where does this leave Barcelona?
From Barça’s perspective, the focus has anyway appeared to be shifting elsewhere. The club’s priority remains centred around rebuilding the attacking structure, which is why investing huge money in defence no longer seems to be at the top of the agenda.
The bottom line
Bastoni wanted to stay. Inter don’t need to sell. Barcelona can’t afford €70m for a defender right now.
The maths is simple. The outcome is inevitable.
Barcelona will look elsewhere for defensive reinforcements or trust what they already have. Meanwhile, Bastoni stays in Milan.
One less target on Barcelona’s list. The summer window is still young, but the list of “unattainable” is already growing.
