Real Madrid Push for €60M Defender Mourinho Wants to Anchor His Back Line

Real Madrid’s summer shopping spree isn’t over yet. After bringing in Ibrahima Konate, Marc Cucurella and Denzel Dumfries, the club is now turning its full attention to Inter Milan defender Alessandro Bastoni. According to a report from AS, contacts between the two clubs have intensified in recent days, with Bastoni emerging as Jose Mourinho’s top target to complete the defensive rebuild.

The Portuguese manager has made it clear from day one that the back line needed work. Konate, Cucurella and Dumfries were the first wave. Bastoni would be the finishing piece. But there’s a catch. Any further arrivals depend on departures, both for financial reasons and because squad registration limits are a real headache for clubs operating at Madrid’s level.

Inter know Madrid wants Bastoni. More importantly, they know Bastoni wants out. This isn’t some sudden development. The Italian international got permission from Inter earlier this season to explore his options. He held talks with Barcelona, but nothing came of it. At the time, nobody expected Mourinho to be back at Real Madrid. Now that he’s there, the whole equation has changed.

Bastoni has put other conversations on hold since learning of Madrid’s concrete interest. He’s prepared to wait while the clubs work through the details. But he also understands this won’t get done overnight. These things take time, especially when Inter is asking for around €60 million.

Real Madrid’s relationship with Inter is strong, which helped smooth the Dumfries negotiations. That deal hasn’t been announced yet, but it’s a sign of how well the two clubs can work together. The same dynamic could help push a Bastoni transfer over the line.

Why Bastoni fits Mourinho’s plan

Bastoni checks all the boxes Mourinho asked for. He’s got experience at the highest level. He’s physical. He’s reliable. And he can step straight into the starting lineup without any adjustment period. That last part matters a lot for a manager who doesn’t have time to wait for players to develop.

The timing also works in Bastoni’s favor. Borussia Dortmund’s Nico Schlotterbeck was on Madrid’s radar, but an injury has effectively taken him off the list. It’s not as serious as first feared, but it was enough for Madrid to move on. That leaves Bastoni as the clear frontrunner.

For now, the discussions are ongoing. Bastoni is waiting. Inter is listening. Madrid is pushing. And Mourinho is one step closer to getting the defense he wants.