Why Barcelona have put Bastoni talks on hold with Inter

Originally posted on Football Italia | By Lorenzo Bettoni | Last updated May 17, 2026 4:21 AM ET

Barcelona have reportedly put Alessandro Bastoni’s talks with Inter on hold as the La Liga giants aim to secure reinforcements in many areas of the pitch and appear reluctant to invest more than €50m on a new centre-back only.

Italian transfer expert Fabrizio Romano reports the latest updates on Barcelona’s potential deal to sign Inter and Italy star Bastoni.

Bastoni deal: Barcelona put Inter talks on hold

The Barcelona board has identified Bastoni as an ideal reinforcement in central defence, but talks between the two clubs are currently on hold.

Spanish media have been reporting that €50m would be enough to sign the Italy international, but Inter have never set an asking price.

FLORENCE, ITALY – OCTOBER 08: Alessandro Bastoni of Italy looks on prior to the Italy training session at Centro Tecnico Federale di Coverciano on October 08, 2024 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images)

The Nerazzurri still consider Bastoni one of the best central defenders in the world and surely won’t accept offers around €40-50m.

Barcelona have already planned to sign a few reinforcements this summer, including a centre-forward to replace Robert Lewandowski, a centre-back, a winger and potentially a full-back.

Therefore, investing €65-70m on Bastoni would affect their spending power to strengthen other areas of the pitch.

Romano insists there isn’t an asking price for Bastoni and that Inter have not received any formal offers from Barcelona.

MILAN, ITALY – APRIL 05: Alessandro Bastoni of Inter warms up prior to the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and AS Roma at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on April 05, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Yet the Nerazzurri directors believe the Catalans won’t offer more than €50m this summer, a fee that will be nowhere near enough to convince them to sell the 27-year-old.

Bastoni is open to joining Barcelona, but is not pushing to leave the Stadio Meazza, so negotiations between the two clubs are currently blocked.

This article first appeared on Football Italia and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: