Real Madrid is turning its attention to another FC Barcelona transfer target according to Gazzetta dello Sport in Italy and SPORT in Catalonia, which both cited anonymous sources.
Getty Images
Real Madrid is turning its attention to another FC Barcelona transfer target in Alessandro Bastoni according to La Gazzetta dello Sport in Italy and SPORT in Catalonia, which both cited anonymous sources.
The Italian newspaper explains that Los Blancos and Inter have been in advanced talks about the central defender since last weekend, and it is now new Real Madrid head coach Jose Mourinho that should decide whether he wants Bastoni or another alternative.
Should the Portuguese give his thumbs up to the potential operation, Bastoni will cost around $80 million. He’d provide immediate competition to the likes of Antonio Rudiger and Dean Huijsen for minutes in the heart of the back line.
Real Madrid continues to try and sabotage FC Barcelona’s ambitions
After winning re-election a fortnight ago, Madrid president Florentino Perez has been busy with his checkbook.
Reacting to two trophyless seasons while FC Barcelona mopped up five out of the six Spanish trophies on offer, Perez has decided to torpedo the Catalans’ attempts to strengthen Hansi Flick’s squad.
The first move we saw in that respect was making a rejected $175 million bid for Julian Alvarez – Barça’s top target this summer.
Reports from Argentina explained that Alvarez – currently at the World Cup – had agreed a five-year deal with the La Liga champions.
With Real Madrid upping the ante, however, Barça won’t be able to match that kind of figure after lodging their own $116 million offer.
Next was Marc Cucurella. The left back is a La Masia-reared Spain international that made his bones in England at Brighton and Chelsea following short spells on domestic soil with Eibar and Getafe.
There had been rumours that Cucurella could come home soon, and he flirted with that possibility when asked about it in recent months.
At the weekend, though, Madrid came out of nowhere by purchasing ‘Cucu’ from Chelsea for $58 million. Furthermore, it is also believed to be close to landing another past target for Barça in Bernardo Silva, who becomes a free agent on June 30 when his Manchester City contract expires.
As for Bastoni, he was Barça’s top aim alongside Alvarez until interest in him cooled off. The way things are going, though, don’t be surprised to see the highly-rated 27-year-old become a Real Madrid player in the near future.
Leave a comment