Barcelona’s sporting director, Deco, has made his intentions clear for the upcoming summer window: the defensive system is the top priority. After a quiet January, the Catalan giants are preparing for a major move, and Inter Milan’s Alessandro Bastoni has emerged as the “dream signing” to bolster Hansi Flick’s squad.
The “Flick-Approved” Target
According to reports from journalist Adrián Sánchez, Bastoni is at the top of Barcelona’s shortlist. Deco has been a long-term admirer of the Italian international, believing his ball-playing ability and tactical intelligence make him the perfect fit for Flick’s high-pressing system.
The German manager has reportedly given his “green light” for the operation, excited by the prospect of pairing Bastoni with the club’s current defensive core.
The €80 Million Stumbling Block
However, bringing the 26-year-old to the Camp Nou will be anything but simple. Inter Milan view Bastoni as “untouchable” and, according to TEAMtalk, have slapped an €80 million price tag on the defender.
While Barcelona are exploring creative financial solutions to make the deal viable, they face stiff competition from the Premier League. Liverpool are also said to be “highly interested” in Bastoni, as they look to refresh their own defensive options under the post-Klopp era.
A Summer Showdown
As of now, no official talks have taken place. Bastoni himself remains committed to Inter, where he is a fundamental pillar of the team. But as the European giants begin to circle, the summer transfer window promises a high-stakes tug-of-war for one of the world’s premier centre-backs.
Gabriel Lucio is a football analyst covering La Liga, focusing on match analysis, tactical trends, and the race for domestic and European positions.
