FC Barcelona are already in talks with Alessandro Bastoni!

A top target for FC Barcelona as they look to strengthen their defence, Alessandro Bastoni is keen to join Barça, according to the Catalan media. They even report that a five-year contract has been offered to the Italian defender, who is determined to secure his departure from Inter Milan at all costs.

FC Barcelona is actively preparing its defensive overhaul. After a 2025/2026 campaign marred by excessive fragility at the back, the Catalan club does not want to face such problems again in the future. This season, defensive lapses have cost the Blaugranas dearly, being the main factor in their early exit from the Champions League, with the red cards shown to Pau Cubarsí in the first leg and then Eric García in the return leg proving costly against Atlético Madrid.

To avoid a repeat of such a scenario, Deco and the sporting director have set their sights on Alessandro Bastoni, whose profile as a left-footed centre-back is considered essential to stabilising Hansi Flick’s defence. A mainstay of Inter Milan’s defence for years, the 27-year-old left-footed player is regarded as one of the best defenders in the world. With a 12-point lead with five games remaining in Serie A, the Italian defender, who will not be playing in the World Cup this summer, is set to win another Scudetto and is reportedly already looking elsewhere. Indeed, despite its financial difficulties, FC Barcelona is said to have taken the lead in this high-profile transfer.

Bastoni ready to force a move to Barça

According to reports in Mundo Deportivo, the groundwork for a deal is already well advanced between Barça and the player’s entourage. The deal is said to involve a five-year contract, tying the Inter Milan defender to the Catalan club until 2031. Although the Italian press are reporting the deal as done, everything remains pending Hansi Flick’s final approval. The German manager, currently focused on the end of the league season, is expected to approve the move once the La Liga title is mathematically secured, allowing Deco to finalise the contractual details.

For his part, Bastoni seems to have his sights set solely on FC Barcelona. Willing to do whatever it takes to facilitate his move, the player has already made it clear that he would adjust his wage demands to fit within La Liga’s strict financial fair play rules. The Italian even plans to speak personally with Inter’s directors to request a release clause to move to Catalonia, his sole desired destination. His aim is clear: to push the Nerazzurri to lower their initial asking price, set at between €70 and €80 million. As a reminder, Bastoni is under contract with Inter until 2028. Watch this space…

Spain: Lamine Yamal sets the tone for the World Cup

Having won the European Championship with Spain in 2024, Lamine Yamal is set to play in his first World Cup with La Roja this summer, barring injury. And the FC Barcelona prodigy clearly has no intention of crossing the Atlantic merely to make up the numbers.

For the past three seasons, Lamine Yamal has been taking the football world by storm. Launched at just 15 by Xavi at Barça, the La Masia graduate smashed every record for precocious talent before establishing himself as the hero of Spain’s Euro 2024 triumph. In the space of a few months, he has gone from being a rising star to the global face of La Roja and FC Barcelona, displaying impressive leadership for a player of his age. And even though he has just been knocked out in the Champions League quarter-finals by Atlético Madrid, his season has been nothing short of impressive in every respect.

Having become the heir to the legendary number 10 at FC Barcelona, the 18-year-old winger is dominating the game. As the season draws to a close, his statistics are staggering: with 23 goals and 18 assists in 44 matches across all competitions, he is the driving force behind a Barça side that sits top of La Liga, nine points clear of Real Madrid. Barça’s leader and almost certain to win La Liga with the Catalans, the left-footed player can now focus on the rest of the season with the World Cup with Spain in his sights.

Lamine Yamal wants to win the World Cup with Spain

And to say the least, his ambitions are huge this summer ahead of the World Cup. Having conquered Europe, Yamal now dreams of getting his hands on the world’s biggest trophy. Asked about this fast-approaching event at the Laureus Awards on Monday evening, the Spanish international made no secret of his boundless ambition: “I’m very excited. Ever since I was a child, I’ve dreamed of playing in a World Cup, of seeing my mum in the stands, of representing the national team… Those two months will seem far too short, and I obviously hope we’ll be champions.”

During the same event, Lamine Yamal was also asked about all the difficulties he has faced since the start of his career. Often linked to off-pitch controversies, the Catalan star reflected on the pressure that comes with his public profile and delivered a poignant speech: “It’s hard to realise that it’s a responsibility and that you can’t afford to make mistakes, because you’re a role model for many children, but I see that as a good thing. That’s why, whenever I speak out, I try to do so constructively and with the aim of helping as many people as possible. With that in mind, I’ll sometimes make mistakes, but I’m only 18.” A wonderful evening for the Spaniard, who was awarded the title of Young Athlete of the Year at the ceremony.