Barcelona want to sign world-class Italian centre-back

There is a lot to like about Hansi Flick’s Barcelona team. They have had their stumbles here and there, but overall, it does not feel like they are a million miles away from being one of the club sides in Europe and challenging for the Champions League.

In fact, they got pretty close last year before losing to Inter Milan in the semi-finals, in what will go down as one of the great fixtures in Champions League history. Interestingly, it looks like one of the Italian club’s defenders is now being linked with a move to Camp Nou out of the blue.

If there is one position where Barcelona could do with a bit of strengthening, it is their defence. Pau Cubarsi is excellent for his age, but he is still 19, and might need someone experienced alongside to get the best out of him.

Ronald Araujo has looked like a shadow of his best self for quite a few years now. Andreas Christensen has had his fair share of injury problems. And Eric Garcia might be better at both full-back and defensive midfield than he is at centre-back.

So, all things considered, Barcelona might need to bring in a centre-back soon. Could an Italian international be the solution to the club’s issues at the back?

Barcelona want to sign world-class Italian centre-back

According to Adrian Sanchez (via The Touchline), Deco’s preferred option to strengthen Barcelona’s defence is Inter Milan’s Alessandro Bastoni.

Bastoni is a full Italian international and a regular in the heart of defence for Inter Milan. He is widely regarded amongst the best centre-backs in the world. Also, at 26 years of age, he might not even be in his prime yet. So, it is not hard to imagine why Barcelona might be interested in signing him.

That being said, signing Bastoni is not going to be easy. Inter Milan are not expected to be keen to part ways unless a huge offer is made to them. The centre-back has a contract until the summer of 2028.

Are Barcelona in a position to make that kind of an offer though? It does not feel like so. It is much more likely that they could choose to wait for a year or two longer, in hopes of signing him for a bargain fee or as a free agent, if an extension is not agreed with Inter Milan by then, although expect plenty of other clubs to be interested if such a scenario comes to pass.