Real:the real reasons behind the failure of the Bastoni deal

Alessandro Bastoni returns to the Santiago Bernabéu this Tuesday, but wearing the colours of Inter Milan, despite José Mourinho wanting to make him one of Real Madrid’s major summer signings.

Alessandro Bastoni will step onto the pitch at the Santiago Bernabéu on Tuesday night, although not in the role José Mourinho had hoped to see him in. The Italian centre-back arrives in Madrid as an Inter Milan player, the club he has represented for nine consecutive seasons, even though Mourinho had identified him as one of his main defensive targets after returning to the Real Madrid bench.

The two men have never actually worked together. Mourinho famously guided Inter to an historic treble in 2010, several years before Bastoni established himself in the Nerazzurri first team. Since then, the defender has developed into one of Inter’s most important players and one of the most highly rated centre-backs in European football.

Inter demanded €70 million

The biggest obstacle to a potential transfer was financial. According to AS, Inter Milan were unwilling to consider selling Bastoni for less than €70 million, a valuation reflecting his importance, experience and leadership within the squad.

Real Madrid were reluctant to invest such a significant fee, especially with other defensive options also being considered.

Bastoni’s situation was also complicated by Italy’s failure to qualify for the 2026 World Cup. During the decisive playoff against Bosnia and Herzegovina, the defender was sent off in the 41st minute while Italy were leading 1-0. Reduced to ten men, the Azzurri eventually lost the tie on penalties.

That incident may also have contributed to the hesitation of clubs such as Real Madrid and Barcelona to spend such a large amount on the Italian international.

Bastoni preferred to other targets

Bastoni was far more than a simple transfer rumour for Real Madrid. According to AS, the Spanish giants assessed several high-profile centre-backs before making the Italian one of their preferred options.

Josko Gvardiol, Rúben Dias and Nico Schlotterbeck were also reportedly considered.

Gvardiol was viewed as extremely expensive, particularly because of interest from several major European clubs. Schlotterbeck, meanwhile, suffered a serious ankle injury while on international duty with Germany in June, ruling him out for several months.

Konaté’s arrival changed the situation

Real Madrid eventually signed Ibrahima Konaté on a free transfer following the expiration of his Liverpool contract. However, the French defender was initially not expected to be the club’s only reinforcement in central defence.

🚨 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐅𝐈𝐑𝐌𝐄́: Mourinho VOULAIT SIGNER Bastoni. ✅🇮🇹

💰L'Inter demandait 70M€, et le joueur n'a PAS FORCÉ UN DÉPART.

❌ De plus, la présence d'Asencio dans l'effectif BLOQUAIT son arrivée. @diarioas

👀 Notre avis: Bastoni aurait été une top recrue. Mais pour l'instant… pic.twitter.com/Erpxohw4UG

— RMadrid actu 🇫🇷 (@RMadrid_actu) September 8, 2026

The decision to keep Raúl Asencio ultimately changed Madrid’s plans. With enough options already available in the position, the club decided against signing another centre-back and abandoned the pursuit of Bastoni.

The Italian therefore remained at Inter, where his current contract runs until 2028.

From transfer target to opponent

With no agreement reached during the summer, Bastoni now returns to the Bernabéu as an opponent rather than a new Real Madrid player.

It gives Tuesday’s Champions League opener an intriguing subplot: the defender Mourinho wanted to sign will instead attempt to stop his Real Madrid attack.

According to AS, however, the story may not be completely over. Real Madrid and Barcelona are among the European giants still monitoring Bastoni’s situation closely, meaning his performance at the Bernabéu could once again place his name firmly on the transfer agenda.