Overview
- Barcelona, which opened talks Tuesday according to multiple reports, tabled about €45 million for the Inter centre-back and were told the price starts closer to €60 million.
- Inter president Giuseppe Marotta praised Bastoni and said decisions on his future will be handled later, stopping short of ruling out a sale.
- Multiple outlets report Bastoni is eager to join Barcelona after weeks of backlash over a World Cup-qualifying red card that has drawn online abuse toward him and his family.
- Bastoni is under contract at Inter until 2028, a long term that gives the club leverage to reject lower bids because there is no near-term risk of losing him for free.
- With talks at an impasse, Deco has reactivated interest in Bologna defender Jhon Lucumí as a cheaper alternative, and Spanish reports say Andreas Christensen could be moved if Bastoni arrives.