Inter will need to turn in a profit in the next transfer market window, and Alessandro Bastoni could surprisingly be a casualty of such proposition. The Nerazzurri could settle with some moves on the fringes. However, they would not be able to bolster the squad if they did not cash in on one of their stars.
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Lautaro Martinez seemed the likeliest candidate. Especially considering that they could replace him with Paulo Dybala on a free. However, the striker has put down roots in Milan. His girlfriend is about to open a restaurant downtown. Denzel Dumfries has some suitors, but his departure alone would not be enough to bankroll multiple additions.
Bastoni is one of the players with the highest price tag on the Inter roster. Considering his age, he is more expensive than his teammates in the back Milan Skriniar and Stefan De Vrij. The coaching staff and the management want to keep the Slovakian center-back at all costs as they see him as the true linchpin of the defense. Nicolò Barella is equally untouchable, and he would transfer only for nine-digit proposals.
Manchester City offered €60M for Bastoni last May, but Inter rebuffed them. The front office will eye similar bids in the summer. The center-back penned an extension afterward, but his wages are relatively low, as he earns €4M. The club would have to look for a left-footed defender afterward. Alessio Romagnoli, who will soon be out of contract, could be a good opportunity, the publication adds.