Inter face Bastoni contract dilemma as Barcelona maintain interest

Inter Milan have begun preliminary talks with Alessandro Bastoni’s representatives over a new contract, with Barcelona still monitoring the Italy defender.

Bastoni’s current deal runs until the summer of 2028, but Inter are seeking to secure his future before his contractual situation strengthens Barcelona’s position in a potential transfer.

According to TuttomercatoWeb, initial contact has been made with people close to Bastoni. However, negotiations remain at an early stage and an agreement does not appear close at present.

The defender currently earns about 6m euros per year. Inter’s priority is to retain one of their key players, but Bastoni must decide whether to extend his stay in Milan or leave the door open to a move to Barcelona.

Sport reports that Inter would be prepared to sell Bastoni next summer for considerably less than expected if he does not sign a new contract. The player’s contract situation could therefore become decisive in a transfer which was already discussed during the most recent summer window.

Barcelona tried to sign Bastoni during that window but were deterred by Inter’s financial demands. The Italian club valued the defender at about 80m euros, a figure Barcelona considered excessive, bringing negotiations to a halt.

The Catalan club’s interest has not disappeared. Sky Sports recently reported that contact between Barcelona and Bastoni’s representatives is continuing.

Bastoni has not ruled out the possibility of playing at Camp Nou, although his priority is to understand the sporting conditions of any proposed move. He also wants clarity over the role he would have in Hans Flick’s team.

The key moment could come in the summer of 2027. If Bastoni has not renewed his contract by then, he will enter the final year of his agreement with Inter.

That would leave Inter facing a difficult choice: accept a transfer fee below their current valuation or risk losing the defender for nothing when his contract expires in 2028.

Such a situation would benefit Barcelona, who could negotiate from a stronger position and potentially pursue the player for a fee significantly lower than the one demanded during the previous summer.

A contract renewal would secure Bastoni’s future with Inter in Milan. Failure to reach an agreement, however, could give Barcelona the opportunity to make another approach under much more favourable financial conditions.