Real Madrid set sights on Serie A defender with a mammoth €80 million price tag | OneFootball

With roughly a month left before the 2023/24 campaign comes to an end, the transfer market is heating up already.

Real Madrid have started preparations for the season ahead and working on a deal to finalise Kylian Mbappe’s arrival.

Apart from Mbappe, Real Madrid are involved in the pursuit of multiple other players, with the defensive unit, in particular, being a major focus area.

Real Madrid interested in Alessandro Bastoni

To that end, a recent report from Tuttosport (h/t Fichajes) has pointed out that Real Madrid are interested in the services of Alessandro Bastoni.

The Italian is a vital cog in Inter Milan’s defensive unit and has already featured in almost 200 competitive matches for the club.

Bastoni is regarded highly due to his technical ability and speed, making him an appealing target for Real Madrid.

The Spanish giants are already preparing for life without Nacho Fernandez next season, with the veteran centre-back set to leave at the end of the season. Interestingly, Inter are among the clubs keen on the veteran’s services.

Alessandro Bastoni on Real Madrid’s radar. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images)

As per the report, Carlo Ancelotti has asked the Real Madrid board to bring in defensive reinforcements ahead of the new season.

Keeping that in mind, Bastoni is one player the club keeping a close eye on. However, the club’s pursuit of Bastoni could be complicated by Inter Milan.

The Italian giants have no desire to offload Bastoni anytime soon. As such, they have put a staggering asking price of €80 million for the defender.

Bastoni’s contract at Inter Milan does not expire until 2028, with the defender notably signing a new deal last summer. This gives Inter the leverage to conduct tough negotiations and fend off any potential suitors for the young centre-backs this summer.

Real Madrid, though, have no shortage of options and have been notably linked with a move for French defensive starlet Leny Yoro, although the LOSC Lille youngster, too, could prove to be expensive.