Barcelona is preparing for a busy summer, with one of their priorities being to bring in a new central defender.
For most of the season, Nico Schlotterbeck has been considered one of Barcelona's main targets for the summer of 2026.
However, it appears the Catalans are willing to let Real Madrid take the lead in signing the German. Instead, the club is focusing on a move for Alessandro Bastoni.
According to Matteo Moro, Barcelona is closely monitoring Bastoni's situation. The Italian international is one of the top-rated options as the club looks to strengthen their defense next season.
Bastoni's leadership qualities and his ability as a left-footed ball-playing center-back make him an ideal long-term replacement for Inigo Martinez.
However, there are certain conditions tied to the pursuit of Bastoni. For one, Inter Milan rates the player highly and is not keen on letting him go.
The Italian giants are actively trying to secure Bastoni with a new long-term contract, and his current transfer fee is considered quite expensive for Barcelona.
The player, meanwhile, wants Barcelona to confirm if he is truly part of their plans for the upcoming summer before making a final decision on his future at Inter Milan.
Having played at Inter Milan for nearly a decade, one might expect the defender to be open to a move elsewhere, and Barcelona could be an ideal new adventure for him.
However, the club's tricky financial situation, combined with an inflated salary bill, means they may have to rely on player sales this summer before even considering signing someone like Bastoni.
