Rabat – Inter president Beppe Marotta has admitted that Barcelona are monitoring Alessandro Bastoni, though he insists the defender remains happy at San Siro.
The comments, made in a radio interview, have added fuel to speculation ahead of the summer transfer window.
Speaking to Radio Anch’Io Sport, Marotta described Bastoni as one of Inter’s most valuable players. “He is a great talent,” Marotta said.
“He made mistakes, like the incident against Juventus, but he admitted them, and we protected him. He is a champion.”
Marotta acknowledged Barcelona’s interest but stressed that no formal offer has been made. “I won’t deny there is interest from Barcelona, but nothing concrete yet.
A player leaves only if he wants to. Right now, he is happy here, and we are happy with him.”
Barcelona’s defensive needs
Barcelona coach Hansi Flick is looking to strengthen his backline, which has lacked consistency this season.
Reports suggest Bastoni is viewed as the ideal left‑footed center-back to fill a gap in the squad.
With uncertainty over the futures of several defenders, the Italian international has become a prime target.
Inter recently secured their third Serie A title in five years, but financial pressures remain.
A major transfer fee for Bastoni could be tempting if Barcelona make a formal move. For now, Marotta insists the player is settled, but his openness about the interest leaves the door ajar.
Building an Italian core
Beyond Bastoni’s situation, Marotta stressed the importance of maintaining a strong Italian identity within the squad.
“Italy produces talent. We want to build a solid core of Italians. Some are getting older, so it is right to add more. For the Scudetto, you need a core who understands Italian football,” he explained.
Marotta also admitted that while domestic success has returned, the Champions League remains unfinished business.
“I have reached four finals and unfortunately lost them all,” he said. “It is something I still want to achieve, but next year we will try to improve in that competition.”