Barcelona ready to include academy defender in deal to sign Alessandro Bastoni – report

Barcelona ready to include academy defender in deal to sign Alessandro Bastoni – report

It is no secret at this point that FC Barcelona have Alessandro Bastoni as their top target for the summer transfer window.

The Blaugrana’s need for a top-quality defender has become very clear in recent days and the Inter Milan mainstay has been identified as the priority target to fix the situation. Negotiations have already started between the two clubs.

A deal for the Italian international, however, could be tricky as Inter are seeking a significant transfer fee for their prized asset – which is a concern for Barça.

Hector Fort to be offered to Inter

As such, Gazzetta dello Sport (h/t Mundo Deportivo) reports that Barcelona have proposed to Inter Milan to lower the cost of signing Bastoni by offering young full-back Hector Fort, who is currently on loan at Elche.

As per the Italian publication, Inter are asking for €60 million for Bastoni, a figure that Barça are unwilling to match at this moment.

Bastoni is Barcelona’s top target. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Therefore, Barça have proposed to Inter Milan to include one of their academy players in the deal in the form of Fort.

The 19-year-old La Masia graduate was loaned out to Elche in the summer, where he has had a difficult time due to a shoulder injury that has kept him out of action since December.