Barcelona prepares backup plan in case Bastoni signing falls through

Catalan giants Barcelona have identified an alternative to Alessandro Bastoni.

Details: According to SPORT, the club's management has made strengthening the heart of their defense a top priority.

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The leading candidate on the sporting director’s shortlist remains Inter Milan defender Alessandro Bastoni. The Italian is seen as a perfect fit for Hansi Flick’s game model thanks to his ability to launch attacks from the back and his reliability in one-on-one situations. However, pulling off this transfer will be no easy task due to the player’s high price tag.

Fully aware of the financial constraints and Inter’s tough stance during negotiations, the Blaugrana have already lined up a “Plan B.” Should the Bastoni deal collapse or prove too expensive, Bologna defender Jhon Lucumí has been earmarked as the main alternative. The Colombian has made a name for himself in Serie A and is considered a more attainable yet high-quality option for rotation and to increase competition within the squad.

Notably, the Colombian defender has made 38 appearances for Bologna across all competitions this season, tallying 1 goal and 1 assist. Transfermarkt currently values the player at €25 million.

Reminder: Barcelona drew inspiration from “Ted Lasso” ahead of their Champions League clash with Atletico.