Barcelona have officially put their pursuit of top defensive target Alessandro Bastoni on hold as they await crucial regulatory updates from La Liga.
The Catalan giants are adopting a cautious, background-only approach to negotiations while waiting to see if they will be cleared to operate under La Liga’s highly anticipated 1:1 financial rule this summer.
The club’s financial breathing room received a major boost following the confirmed departure of Robert Lewandowski, whose hefty wage exit significantly aids Barça’s quest to balance the books.
However, actually securing Bastoni looks increasingly complicated as Inter Milan have slapped an eye-watering €80 million price tag on the Italian international, who has just helped the Nerazzurri claim a historic domestic double.
Compounding the financial hurdle, newly extended manager Hansi Flick—who just signed a fresh deal until 2028 after winning La Liga—reportedly has other tactical priorities.
Flick has informed sporting director Deco that the club must prioritize reinforcing other thin areas of the squad before dropping a monumental sum on a single central defender.
