Barcelona are looking ahead to the summer transfer window, when manager Hansi Flick wants to reinforce his squad once more, with defenders on the cards as well as Marcus Rashford
Marcus Rashford of FC Barcelona
Marcus Rashford is on loan at Barcelona from Manchester United(Image: Pablo Rodriguez/Getty Images)
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Barcelona are reportedly keen to sign Inter Milan star Alessandro Bastoni in the summer transfer window. Barca are already planning ahead for the off-season, when manager Hansi Flick is keen to bolster his squad across a few key positions.
The Catalan giants sit second in La Liga but will have the chance to leapfrog Real Madrid into top spot when they face Girona on Monday night. Three successive wins ensured Barca finished their Champions League group stage campaign in fifth place to ensure automatic progression to the last 16.
However, their 4-0 defeat by Atletico Madrid in the first leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final showed their weaknesses. And Flick is keen to sign a world-class central defender in the summer, with Bastoni the latest name on the wishlist following links with Borussia Dortmund's Nico Schlotterbeck and Sporting Lisbon's Goncalo Inacio.
Bastoni has been with Inter since 2017 and has been a key player in recent years for both club and country. Aged 26, he is in his peak years and Calciomercato reports that Barca are ready to rival Arsenal for his signature this summer.
There are two years remaining on Bastoni's Inter contract and the Italian giants don't want to sell. But Barca have already held talks with the defender's representatives and will keep up their interest as the summer transfer window approaches.
Central defence isn't the only area of concern for Barcelona this summer, though. One of the most potentially straightforward decision comes in attack, where Marcus Rashford's move from Manchester United can be made permanent.
Rashford is spending the 2025/26 season on loan from United and has made it plain that he wants to secure a permanent transfer. Barca have the option to sign him for around £26million and are minded to do so, with his form very impressive.
Alessandro Bastoni of FC Internazionale
Alessandro Bastoni is a transfer target for Barcelona(Image: Giuseppe Maffia/Getty Images)
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The 28-year-old has contributed 10 goals and 13 assists in 34 appearances across all competitions and is enjoying himself in Barcelona. "For sure," Rashford told ESPN in October when asked if he wanted to stay in Spain. "I'm enjoying this football club and I think for anybody who loves football, Barcelona is one of the key clubs in the history of the game. For a player it is an honour."
Yet Michael Carrick taking over from Ruben Amorim - the manager who froze out Rashford at United - could still play a part in Rashford's future. Carrick has a history of bringing back players from the cold and could try to convince the academy graduate to return to the fold, if he gets the job permanently.
Ultimately, the decision will be left with Barcelona, Flick and sporting director Deco. "I always talk with Deco about what we can do," Flick said last month when asked about signing Rashford. I'm happy with Rashford, but there a still a lot of months left until the season ends. I really appreciate the work he's doing.”
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