
Barcelona Pursues Bastoni in Player-Plus-Cash Deal with Inter Milan Amidst €60m Valuation
Italian press reports have revealed new moves by Spanish club Barcelona to sign Italian defender Alessandro Bastoni from Inter Milan, as part of the club's plan to strengthen its defense in the upcoming period.
According to "La Gazzetta dello Sport," Barcelona has adjusted its strategy in an attempt to finalize the deal by including young full-back Héctor Fort among the options for a potential player exchange.
Meanwhile, transfer market specialist journalist Mateo Moretto indicated a preliminary verbal agreement between Bastoni and Barcelona. However, the primary obstacle remains financial, as Inter Milan values the player at approximately 60 million euros and refuses to part with him for less.
This situation has prompted Barcelona's management to explore alternative solutions to reduce the direct financial outlay, most notably by including young players in the deal. Fort stands out as a prominent candidate, given his talent and young age, which aligns with Inter Milan's policy of investing in youth.
Fort's name has resurfaced after he recently received medical clearance following his recovery from a shoulder injury that had kept him off the field for a long period. This followed a successful loan spell with Elche, where he delivered impressive performances.
In contrast, Bastoni is going through a delicate period. Italian press reports suggest he will miss the upcoming match against Cagliari as a precautionary measure due to fatigue and some muscle pain, after a season in which he suffered a shin injury that affected his readiness for both club and national team.