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Barcelona's pursuit of Italian center back Alessandro Bastoni is no secret, but Inter Milan sporting director Piero Ausilio recently issued a firm transfer warning that may push the Spanish club to consider other options.
Bastoni has topped Barcelona's defensive reinforcement wish list for more than a year, with reports suggesting preliminary discussions between the club and the player's representatives are already underway.
Yet despite the ongoing buzz and speculation, formal negotiations between the two clubs have not commenced, prompting Ausilio to step forward with a public statement that adds further uncertainty to the transfer situation.
"If someone wants Bastoni, they know our phone numbers so they should call us, they shouldn't talk [to the media]," Ausilio said, via Eurosport. "Bastoni is under contract with Inter, and there are no situations making us believe he will leave in the summer. We are very happy with what Bastoni has given to Inter, and we're sure he'll give us a lot more."
It would require a significant financial commitment from the cash-strapped Barcelona to bring Bastoni to the Catalan club. Should they fail to satisfy Inter's asking price in future negotiations, they may have no choice but to abandon their top defensive target and seek alternatives elsewhere.
Here are five center backs Barcelona could sign this summer if Bastoni's transfer falls through.
Luka Vuscovic
One option under consideration is signing one of Europe's most exciting young center backs, with 19-year-old Croatian international Luka Vušcović consistently displaying his enormous potential on loan at Hamburger SV in the Bundesliga.
The teenager completed a move to Tottenham Hotspur last summer after agreeing terms with the club in 2023 and was promptly loaned out to Germany, where he has continued to grow and established himself as one of the standout defenders in the league.
At 6' 4", Vušcović cuts an imposing figure, yet he is far from a one-dimensional player — on the contrary, he appears to thrive when given the chance to demonstrate his composure and technical ability in possession.
Vušcović is set to return to north London ahead of the 2026–27 campaign, but should Spurs drop out of the Premier League, a host of clubs will be chasing the teenager's signature, particularly if he impresses at the World Cup. The towering Croatian also shares an agent with Barça head coach Hansi Flick.
That said, Barcelona's primary focus is on securing a left-footed center back with experience to support Pau Cubarsí's development at the heart of defense, much as Íñigo Martínez did the previous season. Vušcović satisfies neither requirement, though his undeniable ability could still tempt Barça into making an approach to bring him to Catalonia.
Gonçalo Inácio
Gonçalo Inácio's name entered Barcelona's radar during the early stages of the season, and it's easy to understand why.
The 24-year-old Portuguese international is the cornerstone of Sporting CP's defensive unit and a consistent presence in Roberto Martínez's national team setup. Despite his relative youth, Inácio already boasts considerable experience, having made over 250 appearances for Sporting since his debut in 2020.
Barcelona were reportedly keen on Inácio earlier in the season, with his contract set to expire in the summer of 2027. However, Sporting have since protected their prized defender with a new deal keeping him at the club until 2030, making any potential move more difficult for the Catalans.
Nevertheless, a $70.2 million (€60 million) release clause was inserted into his updated Sporting contract. If Bastoni is no longer attainable and Barcelona can justify spending a substantial fee on a new defender — which remains a significant question mark — then Inácio could represent a compelling alternative to the Italian.
Nico Schlotterbeck
Borussia Dortmund center back Nico Schlotterbeck is another highly appealing option, though his situation bears a striking resemblance to Inácio's — if not a slightly more complex one.
The 26-year-old was heavily linked with a Barcelona move last summer, frequently mentioned alongside Bastoni as one of the club's two top defensive priorities. Schlotterbeck is arguably the finest defender in the Bundesliga at present, a guaranteed starter for Germany and a player who fits Barcelona's desired profile to a tee.
The issue is that he, much like Inácio, recently committed to a new long-term contract at Signal Iduna Park. Notably, the tall German also had a release clause included in his new deal, though only a select group of European clubs are eligible to activate it.
Whether Barcelona are among those clubs remains unclear, but reports indicate that arch-rivals Real Madrid are on the list, and that Schlotterbeck could favour a move to the Bernabéu.
It would require an extraordinary effort for Barça to reignite their interest in Schlotterbeck, as things currently stand, it's easier to picture him appearing at the Camp Nou next season in a white away kit as an opponent.
Micky van de Ven
It has undeniably been a torrid season for virtually everyone connected with Tottenham Hotspur, but at his peak, 25-year-old center back Micky van de Ven is an exceptional talent — one who could benefit greatly from a fresh start to unlock his full potential.
Not only is Van de Ven a physical, left-footed center back who could slot seamlessly alongside Cubarsí, his greatest asset aligns perfectly with Flick's defensive philosophy and addresses a clear gap in Barcelona's current squad: pace.
Van de Ven ranks among the quickest players in the Premier League. Barcelona's lack of defensive speed has left Flick's high defensive line vulnerable this season, but Van de Ven's recovery pace and ability to cover ground and track runners in behind could immediately elevate the entire backline.
The Dutchman already excelled in a comparable system under Ange Postecoglou, making him an ideal fit for what Barcelona need from a central defender. Luring Van de Ven away and helping him rediscover his best form after a tough campaign could prove to be an astute piece of Blaugrana business.
Marcos Senesi
Recruiting an established center back in the prime of his career who fits Barcelona's target profile is the clear objective this summer. Marcos Senesi ticks every box, with the added appeal that he could arrive on a free transfer.
The 28-year-old is set to be out of contract at Bournemouth this summer, and it appears increasingly probable that he will be part of the wave of talent departing the Cherries in recent times.
The Argentine has developed tremendously across his four seasons in England. He is composed in possession, relentless and combative in defense, and a natural leader in the dressing room — he already sounds a lot like Íñigo Martínez.
Competition for Senesi's services will be fierce, particularly if he earns a place in Argentina's World Cup squad.
Nevertheless, if Bastoni remains at Inter, pivoting to Senesi appears to be a shrewd decision both financially and from a sporting perspective.