Inter Milan has responded to a huge offer made by FC Barcelona, which remains firmly interested in Alessandro Bastoni even after Italy’s elimination from the World Cup qualification play-offs.
The Catalans were willing to offer 45 million euros for the transfer of the 26-year-old defender, who has performed very well at Inter under the management of Cristi Chivu. However, Inter has made it clear that they will not even consider offers below 70 million.
The central defender is willing to move to Spain for the money, as he will receive a salary higher than the 7 million euros he currently earns at Inter, as reported by Sportmediaset.
Bastoni is under contract with Inter until June 30, 2028, at 26 years old, having previously turned down a potentially more attractive offer from Manchester City.
"Inter considers the amount to be small, but negotiations are ongoing, as the discussion was initiated for the first time in recent years.
Above all, despite the high proposed salary, Bastoni would have the chance to prove his worth in another league, at a top club that, like Inter, has the ambition to win trophies. Advances from Chelsea were immediately rejected by both the player and the club.
Inter has set a price for him, as they consider Bastoni, regardless of what has happened in the last two months, to be an important player, a key defender," the source explained.
Inter could replace Bastoni with Leoni from Liverpool. The 19-year-old Italian was sold by Parma to Anfield last summer for 31 million euros and is currently recovering from a cruciate ligament rupture suffered in September just at his debut for Liverpool.
"Inter has always appreciated the former Sampdoria player, even though he is now a Liverpool player. It's a message, also conveyed to Leoni, who cannot remain indifferent to a possible return to Italy, despite knowing that he plays in the best league in the world," added the Italians.
D.A.