Barcelona Draws Line on Alessandro Bastoni Fee

Barcelona have made their position clear: they admire Alessandro Bastoni, but they will not be dragged into a summer bidding war for him.

According to reports from Italy, the Catalan club have pushed back against Inter Milan’s €70 million valuation of the defender, signalling they will not go anywhere near that figure. Their ceiling sits at around €40m, and they are prepared to walk away if Inter refuse to budge.

For Inter, Bastoni remains a pillar. Despite recent difficulties and criticism from sections of Serie A support, Cristian Chivu still sees the 26-year-old as the defensive reference point of his side. That belief underpins the hefty price tag the league leaders have attached to him.

Barcelona’s interest, though, is real. Bastoni’s situation in Italy, where he is said to be weighing up his options after falling out of favor with fans, has alerted the Camp Nou hierarchy. Deco has reportedly urged Inter to soften their stance and open the door to a deal, but the message from Barcelona is firm: not at €70m.

The Catalans are watching the situation closely, but they are not waiting helplessly.

They already have a Plan B.

If Inter refuse to lower their demands, Barcelona are ready to turn back to Jhon Lucumí. Hansi Flick’s side tried to bring the Bologna center-back to Spain last summer after parting ways with Inigo Martinez, and that interest has not disappeared.

Lucumí represents a more attainable target, both financially and structurally, for a club still operating under tight economic constraints. Barcelona are prepared to put a new offer on the table for the Colombian if the Bastoni negotiations hit a dead end.

Inter have set their price. Barcelona have set their limit. The next move will show which club blinks first – or whether the Catalans simply pivot and build their new-look defense around a different name entirely.