The Bastoni saga has taken a significant new twist. Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that Barcelona are currently in pole position to sign Alessandro Bastoni from Inter Milan this summer, with the Italian club now reportedly open to selling for a fee in the region of €50 million — a figure that makes the deal considerably more achievable than earlier valuations had suggested.
Romano's update is a significant shift in the narrative. For months, Inter had been quoted as demanding upwards of €70-80 million for a player widely considered one of the best centre-backs in European football. The revised figure — if accurate — would represent a far more palatable proposition for Barcelona, who had been exploring creative financing options including a potential Araujo swap deal to reduce the cash outlay.
The rationale for Inter's apparent willingness to lower their asking price lies in their own financial planning. A €50 million guaranteed sale — rather than a protracted negotiation that might go nowhere — allows them to fund their own summer recruitment efficiently before the window closes.
For Hansi Flick, Bastoni remains the ideal defensive partner for Pau Cubarsí. The 26-year-old Italian international is left-footed, technically excellent, comfortable in a high defensive line and brings the kind of Champions League experience that the current Barcelona backline still lacks in depth. Flick is said to have personally endorsed the signing to Deco.
The competition remains real. Arsenal and Liverpool are both monitoring the situation closely, and Inter will have no shortage of interest at €50 million. But for now, Barcelona lead the race.
