Real Madrid told asking price Barcelona refuse to pay for key target

At 27 years old, with three Serie A titles, multiple Coppa Italia and Italian Super Cup wins, plus a Euro 2020 championship with Italy, Alessandro Bastoni already has a résumé that signals maturity at the highest level. Now, that experience could set the stage for a major career move from Milan to Madrid.

This is the current backdrop surrounding the Inter Milan center back, who has reportedly landed on José Mourinho’s shortlist as the Portuguese coach prepares for a new chapter at Real Madrid.

Mourinho, well aware of the demands of both Inter Milan and Serie A, is said to be an admirer of Bastoni. The defender has just completed a strong season, helping Inter secure another league title under Cristian Chivu.

Why Barcelona’s Bastoni interest cooled

Bastoni’s performances in recent months had also placed him on Barcelona’s radar. However, Inter made their position clear early on: they would not negotiate for less than €70 million, roughly $80 million.

Barcelona were never in a financial position to meet that valuation, and no formal offer was ever submitted. Inter, meanwhile, have shown no urgency to sell one of their most important left-footed center backs.

Bastoni remains under contract until June 2028, earning around €5.5 million per year, approximately $6.3 million.

Real Madrid and Inter in talks over Dumfries

A key question now is whether Real Madrid would be willing to meet Inter’s asking price. If so, negotiations would likely open without hesitation.

The two clubs are already in contact over a separate deal involving Denzel Dumfries, who could move to Spain for a €20 million ($23 million) release clause, active during July.

In addition, relations between the clubs were recently highlighted during the “Corazón Classic Match” at the Santiago Bernabéu, a charity game between legends from both sides. The event also offered a chance for informal talks between presidents Florentino Pérez and Beppe Marotta.

Inter stand firm despite growing interest

It is plausible that Bastoni’s situation has already been explored in those broader conversations. The defender’s season has not been without difficulty, including controversy following Pierre Kalulu’s red card in a match against Juventus and subsequent scrutiny of Bastoni’s own reaction.

Despite that, Inter’s leadership and dressing room have consistently defended him, reinforcing his standing within the squad.

The club’s position remains unchanged: Bastoni is not for sale at a discount.

Real Madrid: too good to turn down?

Ultimately, if Mourinho convinces Real Madrid’s leadership to seriously pursue Bastoni and meet Inter’s valuation, the situation could change quickly.

From Inter’s perspective, refusing a proper negotiation would be difficult if their asking price is met. From the player’s side, turning down a move to one of the biggest clubs in world football could also prove challenging, even with his current satisfaction in Milan and his ongoing project under Chivu, who is expected to extend his contract until 2028.

Soccer, as ever, is shaped by timing and opportunity. Inter have already sent a clear message: there are no discounts.

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