"Barca know our phone number," Inter throw down the gauntlet over Bastoni

Barcelona may be circling, but Inter aren't picking up the phone - at least not yet.

Amid growing speculation linking Alessandro Bastoni with a move to Barcelona, Inter director Piero Ausilio has made one thing clear: there have been no official talks, and no real signs that the defender is heading for the exit.

Reports across Spain and Italy have suggested that Bastoni's representatives have already been in contact with Barcelona, positioning the Italian as a key defensive target for the coming seasons.

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But as things stand, it's all noise - no negotiations between clubs, no concrete steps forward.

"Bastoni has a contract with Inter, and right now there's nothing to suggest he's leaving," Ausilio said from Coverciano. "We're happy with him, and I'm convinced he still has a lot more to give to this team."

Still, his message carried a subtle edge.

"If there's real interest, they know the phone numbers. They should call instead of talking."

Behind the scenes, Barcelona are believed to be lining up Bastoni as a cornerstone of their long-term defensive rebuild, potentially targeting a move ahead of the 2026-27 season. Interest isn't limited to Spain either, with Liverpool also monitoring the situation. However, prising him away from Inter Milan won't be easy, especially now.

The Nerazzurri are cruising toward the Serie A title, sitting 12 points clear at the top with just five games remaining, and Bastoni has been central to that dominance. Letting a pillar of the team go at the peak of their power would require more than admiration. It would take a serious offer.

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At the same time, Inter are already planning ahead. Reinforcements are being explored, including interest in Marco Palestra, currently impressing under the Atalanta umbrella.

For now, though, the message from Milan is firm: Bastoni isn't going anywhere, unless someone is ready to stop talking and start acting.

COPPA ITALIA - SEMIFINALS

Return leg

Tuesday

22.00: (1.88) Inter (3.50) Como (4.20)

Wednesday

22.00: (1.80) Atalanta (3.60) Lazio (4.60)

***odds are subject to change***