Real Madrid poised to hijack top Barcelona target

Real Madrid are poised to hijack Barcelona’s top summer target in a major blow to Hansi Flick’s transfer plans.

The club sees the player as a perfect fit for a planned defensive refresh, offering left‑footed balance, leadership, and the kind of technical security they want in the foundations of their back line.

With Barcelona considered the frontrunners in the pursuit, Real Madrid’s move signals a deliberate attempt to complicate Camp Nou’s plans and potentially turn a seemingly Barcelona‑bound deal into a full‑scale bidding war.

The top Barcelona target that Real Madrid are poised to hijack is Alessandro Bastoni, the 26‑year‑old Inter Milan and Italy international, as reported by Fichajes.

Bastoni has already made it clear he would welcome a move to Barcelona, and the Catalans have reportedly been in ongoing talks with his camp about a possible summer switch.

For Hansi Flick, the Italian centre‑back represents an ideal temperament and profile to slot alongside Barcelona’s existing core, combining aerial prowess, composure on the ball, and the ability to play in a high line. But with Real Madrid now ready to present a concrete offer, the landscape has shifted.

Inter Milan is said to be demanding a fee in the region of €100 million for Bastoni, a figure that would place him among the most expensive defenders in history.

Barcelona has so far approached the situation cautiously, aware of La Liga’s financial constraints, while Real Madrid is willing to push their spending capacity to meet the valuation.

If the Bernabéu side follows through with a strong offer and underlines the sporting appeal of playing under a new project, they could steal a march on Barcelona.

That would leave the Blaugrana facing a stark choice: match the bid and strain their budget, or pivot to cheaper alternatives such as Real Sociedad’s Jon Martín.