Report: Italy international Bastoni doesn’t want to leave Inter for Barcelona
Italy international Alessandro Bastoni has been strongly linked with a move away from Inter to join Barcelona during the summer transfer window, but Friday’s reports indicate that the left-sided centre-back is not particularly keen on the idea of leaving San Siro.
Reports Bastoni doesn’t want to leave Inter for Barcelona
Recent reports claim that Inter could go for a summer transfer ‘revolution’ once the 2025-26 season comes to an end, beginning with the contract extension of head coach Cristian Chivu and also involving a major overhaul of the playing squad. Aside from a long list of players whose contracts are due to expire, Bastoni has also been mentioned as one who could be sacrificed to raise funds for new arrivals.
Barcelona are interested and have sounded out Bastoni’s availability with his entourage according to reports in Spain and Italy.
However, according to Friday’s update from Corriere dello Sport, Bastoni wants to stay on with Inter and to continue fighting for titles in San Siro.
Corriere dello Sport points out that there had been interest in Bastoni from Manchester City a few seasons ago, and that Bastoni also pushed to stay in Italy during that period as well.
Recent reports elsewhere add that there is also a major difference in Barcelona and Inter’s valuations of Bastoni, with the buying club rumoured to be considering bids in the region of €45m, while the selling party are pushing for €60m-€70m.
Corriere dello Sport claims that there has been contact with Bastoni’s representatives from the Barcelona camp, but that these have only been initial talks as the player has not given his willingness to discuss a transfer any further.
Friday’s report suggests that the defender feels that Inter is ‘his’ team, especially with the way the club supported him through his recent struggles. The club stood by him while he was being booed in practically every away ground in Italy following the controversial Derby d’Italia victory against Juventus, and the supporters gave him a standing ovation on his return to club football following his red card in Italy’s World Cup play-off defeat against Bosnia and Herzegovina.