FC Barcelona are firm about their interest in Alessandro Bastoni of Inter Milan ahead of the summer transfer window.
The Italian centre-back has become one of the club’s top targets before the new season, with Julian Alvarez of Atletico Madrid being the other priority.
Bastoni, for his part, is believed to be keen on making the move, and as such, personal terms are expected not to be an issue at all.
However, an agreement will need to be reached between the two clubs, which could pose a threat to the chances of the transfer going through.
Barcelona eyeing Evan Ndicka as alternative
Indeed, Gianluca Di Marzio reports that a deal between Inter Milan and Barcelona for Bastoni in the summer looks ‘complicated’.
The Nerazzurri are seeking a high fee for their ace defender, but Barça are reluctant to spend heavily on the signing, which could derail the operation.
Evan Ndicka is a target for Barcelona. (Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images)
As such, the current La Liga leaders could shift their focus to another Serie A centre-back in the form of Evan Ndicka of AS Roma.
The 26-year-old Ivory Coast international, who has a market value of €35 million, would fit the profile of defenders Barcelona are looking for to strengthen the backline.
As things stand, Inter are understood to be holding out for a fee of around €60-65 million for Bastoni, a figure that Barcelona are unwilling to match.
The report states that a move for Ndicka, whose contract at AS Roma untils 2028, could certainly cost less than Bastoni, making him an attractive target for Barcelona in case the deal for the Inter Milan defender falls through.
It remains to be seen if that is the route that the La Liga champions-elect end up taking. For now, however, a deal for Bastoni remains their utmost priority.
