Real Madrid targets Bastoni to close Mourinho's defense

Real Madrid is negotiating with Inter for an Italian defender, but needs to adjust the squad to make the operation viable and balance its finances.

Real Madrid are in advanced negotiations with Inter Milan to sign 25-year-old defender Alessandro Bastoni and reinforce José Mourinho's defense for next season. The operation, which has not yet been made official, depends on adjustments to the Madrid squad to balance the books and make room in the main group. Sources close to the club confirm that sporting director Carlo Ancelotti (transitioning into the role) and the board are aligned on the need to sign an elite defender, and Bastoni is the main option.

Signing a player of Bastoni's caliber, however, requires more than just desire. Real Madrid operate under a strict salary cap and need to balance the books, especially after recent investments. This means the Italian's arrival will likely trigger the departure of other defenders.

Names like Nacho Fernández, a veteran with a contract in force, and David Alaba, who still has years of contract and a considerable salary, are the most likely to leave the club. The Madrid board will have the challenge of negotiating these departures in order to maximize the financial return and free up space on the payroll, without excessively embezzling the squad. The Italian, trained at Inter, is considered one of the best defenders in Serie A and has been a key player in the team led by Simone Inzaghi.

His arrival at the Santiago Bernabéu would be another step in Mourinho's project, which seeks to consolidate a more solid defense after seasons with ups and downs in the sector. Bastoni's choice is not random. Mourinho, known for his defensive obsession, sees the Italian as a modern defender: strong in the tackle, with good reading of the game and, crucially, excellent ball clearance with his left foot.

This characteristic is vital for building the game from the back, allowing Real Madrid to vary between short passes and precise long passes, something they lacked in key moments last season. Bastoni's ability to play both in a line of three and in a back three offers tactical flexibility, an asset for Mourinho who likes to adapt his schemes. In Milan, the reaction is one of caution.

Inter, which has an important asset in the defender, may resist an immediate sale, but financial pressure and the need to renew other squads — such as the midfield and attack — could open up opportunities for negotiations. The Nerazzurra board has already signaled that it would not rule out an exit if the value and conditions are attractive, especially given a challenging economic scenario in Italy. The fight for Bastoni reflects a trend in European football: clubs undergoing reconstruction or with immediate ambitions prioritize young defenders, but with consolidated experience.

Real Madrid, which has already had defensive difficulties in the Champions League, sees the Italian as a reinforcement capable of reducing individual errors and improving tactical organization under Mourinho's command. Internally, the pressure is high: Madrid fans demand more defensive solidity after early eliminations in European competitions. In parallel, Inter Milan is going through a moment of transition.

With Inzaghi's arrival on the bench, the club prioritized the consolidation of an offensive project, but the defense — traditionally a Nerazzurri stronghold — has suffered from injuries and inconsistencies. The sale of Bastoni, even if partial, could accelerate the reformulation, but it would also represent a significant loss of tactical and symbolic value, as the player is a product of the academy and one of the last remaining squads from the Conte era. What's next: The expectation is that talks will progress in the coming weeks, with Inter seeking to guarantee the best possible return.

If the deal goes through, Bastoni could become Mourinho's first major signing for next season, with an immediate impact on Real Madrid's defensive performance. The Madrid club will, however, need to deal with Inter's resistance and the need to free up salary space, possibly involving the departure of players like Nacho Fernández or David Alaba, whose contracts still have years to run. Read at Trivela

Why this matters

Signing Bastoni could solve one of Real Madrid's main weaknesses from the previous season. The 25-year-old Italian defender is considered one of the best in Serie A and his arrival would strengthen Madrid's defensive line, crucial for domestic and Champions League titles. Furthermore, the operation aligns Mourinho's project with a high-level defensive profile, something that the coach has prioritized since his arrival. For Inter, the sale would represent a heavy blow at a time of transition, but it could inject essential resources to maintain competitiveness in other areas of the squad.

Frequently asked

Why do Real Madrid want to sign Alessandro Bastoni?

The club is looking to reinforce its defense for next season, and Bastoni is seen as an elite defender capable of raising the level of the sector, which was a weak point in the previous season.

Source

• Real Madrid: A operação para contratar mais um zagueiro de elite para Mourinho

• Real Madrid

Trivela·trivela.com.br·By Guilherme Ramos·30 Jun, 17:00·pt

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