Italian club are understood to value the player up to 30 per cent more than Barcelona have offered
Barcelona have made a first bid to sign Alessandro Bastoni from Inter Milan ahead of the summer transfer window, according to reports in Italy.
Interest in the defender has been building in recent weeks, with Barcelona identifying him as a priority target to strengthen their back line.
The Catalan club have submitted an initial offer worth €45m for the 26-year-old, according to Italian outlet Sport Mediaset. The club are also said to have proposed a contract valued at €7m per season, an increase on the €5.5m Bastoni currently earns in Milan.
Inter, however, have rejected the approach. The club’s hierarchy views the bid as well below their valuation and are not prepared to sell a key figure in their squad at that price. They reportedly value Bastoni in the region of €60-70m.
The defender’s recent form has come under scrutiny following a red card in Italy’s World Cup play-off against Bosnia that contributed to his side missing their third World Cup in a row, but it is not expected to affect his club’s valuation.
Bastoni is understood to be open to a move to Barcelona, attracted by the opportunity to play for one of the biggest clubs in the world as well as the improved financial terms on offer.
