Inter Milan president Beppe Marotta has publicly acknowledged that Barcelona hold a genuine interest in signing centre-back Alessandro Bastoni, though he was careful to draw a distinction between speculation and any formal approach from the Catalan club.
Speaking to Radio Anch’Io Sport in the aftermath of Inter’s Scudetto triumph, Marotta addressed the mounting transfer rumours surrounding the 25-year-old Italy international directly. “I won’t deny there is interest from Barcelona, but nothing concrete yet,” the Inter president said. “A player leaves if he expresses the desire to go. At this moment he is happy to be with us, and we are happy with him.”
Marotta also offered a broader assessment of Bastoni’s character and quality, referencing a high-profile incident involving the defender during the 2025/26 campaign. “He is a great talent. He was unlucky in certain episodes. Everyone had their eyes on him. He made that naive mistake against Juventus with the simulation; he was the first to admit it, but we protected him. He is a great champion.”
The timing of Marotta’s comments is significant. Inter officially secured the 2025/26 Serie A title — the club’s 21st domestic championship and a historic milestone — with three games to spare following a 2-0 victory over Parma at San Siro on Sunday. Winning the Scudetto with matches remaining underlines the scale of Inter’s dominance across the season and adds considerable leverage to the club’s position in any potential negotiations over their key defensive asset.
Barcelona, according to reports, are planning an ambitious overhaul of their squad during the summer transfer window, with Bastoni identified as a priority signing. The Spanish club are also reportedly targeting a new striker and a winger as part of a broader recruitment drive aimed at strengthening their squad ahead of the 2026/27 season.
However, prising Bastoni away from the Nerazzurri presents a significant challenge. The defender has been a cornerstone of Inter’s backline and his importance to Simone Inzaghi’s system makes him extremely difficult to replace. Since establishing himself in the first team, Bastoni has developed into one of the most accomplished ball-playing centre-backs in European football, attracting consistent attention from elite clubs beyond Barcelona.
For Barcelona, the pursuit also carries financial complexity. The club has faced well-documented economic pressures in recent years, and financing a move for a player of Bastoni’s calibre — under contract at one of Serie A’s most powerful clubs — would require considerable structural planning.
Marotta’s comments reflect a familiar holding position for clubs fielding transfer interest in a player they are reluctant to sell. By confirming interest without confirming negotiations, Inter retain control of the narrative while leaving open the possibility that any deal would hinge on the player’s own decision. Bastoni has not publicly commented on the reported interest from Spain.
With the Serie A season approaching its conclusion and the summer window set to open, the situation surrounding Bastoni is expected to develop further in the coming weeks.
