Barcelona are eager to secure the services of Italian international Alessandro Bastoni from Inter Milan this coming summer.

The Catalan heavyweights are looking to rival several Premier League clubs in pursuit of the Italian international, who is valued at around €55 million.

Alessandro Bastoni has come leaps and bounds since joining Inter Milan from Atalanta in the summer of 2017. The 22-year-old has particularly grown in stature since Antonio Conte’s arrival at San Siro in 2019, first becoming a regular last season before playing a key role in the Nerazzurri’s triumphant Serie A campaign this term.

Till date, the central defender has made 72 appearances for Inter Milan, even chipping in with 2 goals and 5 assists while also breaking into the Italian national side. The youngster’s progress has certainly not gone unnoticed, with Barcelona among the clubs that have been closely monitoring him this season.

Barcelona’s interest in Bastoni is hardly unfounded, despite the imminent arrival of Eric Garcia on a free transfer. While Garcia is set to be signed as a long-term successor for Gerard Pique, it is also important to note that French pair Samuel Umtiti and Clement Lenglet are facing an uncertain future at Camp Nou following an inconsistent 2020/21 campaign.

As a result, it is likely that Barcelona could sign two centre-backs, seeing as there will be no outlay on Garcia in terms of transfer fee. To that end, the Catalan giants have been linked with Matthijs de Ligt, Aissa Mandi and Lisandro Martinez among others, with Bastoni a viable target as well.

The Blaugrana, though, have a couple of obstacles in front of them before they can secure the services of Bastoni. Firstly, they will have to battle with several Premier League clubs that are also pursuing the signature of the 22-year-old Italian international. Secondly, his €55 million valuation could prove to be a major stumbling block, considering Barcelona’s dire financial situation.

What will now be interesting to see is if Barcelona can find a way to fund a move for Bastoni. Also, it remains to be seen if the youngster is even open to leaving Inter Milan or if he stays put at San Siro, thereby snubbing Barcelona and his other suitors.