Bastoni wants Flick talks before considering a move to Barcelona

Alessandro Bastoni remains open to joining Barcelona but would want to speak directly to manager Hansi Flick before deciding whether to pursue a move, according to Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo.

The Inter Milan defender was Barcelona’s preferred target for strengthening central defence last season. In January, the club’s sporting committee agreed that it needed an experienced centre-back, preferably left-footed, and sporting director Deco began working on a possible deal.

Deco subsequently reached an agreement with Bastoni on a contract running until 2031. However, the transfer was dependent on final approval from Flick.

By May, Flick was not convinced the move was the right one. The German manager had redeployed Gerard Martin in central defence and decided Barcelona should prioritise strengthening other areas of the squad before signing another centre-back.

Five months later, Barcelona are again considering their options in central defence, with Bastoni still on Deco’s list. The previous breakdown has raised questions over whether the Italy international would be willing to revive discussions with the Catalan club.

Mundo Deportivo reports that Bastoni has not closed the door on Barcelona and would remain willing to listen if the club contacted him. However, the disappointment of last summer continues to influence his position.

Bastoni had been enthusiastic about joining Barcelona’s project, making the failure to complete the transfer particularly frustrating. The defender was deeply hurt by the knowledge that Flick had decided against including him in his plans.

Barcelona would therefore need to demonstrate that their interest is serious if they want to sign him. Bastoni is settled at Inter Milan, where he is part of the club’s leadership group and has worn the captain’s armband this season.

He also remains focused on his career with Inter Milan and considers the club to be one of the biggest in Europe. Bastoni’s current contract runs until 2028, and he is among Inter Milan’s highest earners.

The defender also regards Inter Milan as his home, meaning Barcelona would need to offer more than interest from Deco alone. If Bastoni is to reconsider a transfer, he wants confirmation that he is a priority for both the sporting director and the manager.

Deco has consistently made Bastoni feel wanted, but the Italian now wants the same assurance from Flick. Before taking any further step towards Barcelona, he would like to hear directly from the German coach and understand his genuine position on signing him.