Barcelona Identifies Tottenham Defender Cristian Romero As Strategic Alternative To Inter Milan’s Alessandro Bastoni

Barcelona eyes Tottenham’s Cristian Romero as a summer defensive target while a €70M price tag stalls the club's pursuit of Inter Milan's Alessandro Bastoni.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 29, 2026, 7:10 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from YSScores

The Search For Defensive Reinforcements At Camp Nou

Barcelona’s technical department has made the acquisition of a top-tier central defender a primary objective for the 2026 summer market. While Inter Milan’s Alessandro Bastoni remains the preferred candidate for the Catalan giants, the financial complexity of the deal has forced the club to diversify its search. Reports from Spanish outlet Sport indicate that the Italian club's €70 million asking price is currently considered prohibitive given Barcelona's ongoing efforts to balance its wage bill and comply with La Liga’s financial fair play regulations. Consequently, the club has shifted its focus toward the Premier League to find a profile that matches the intensity and ball-playing ability required for Hansi Flick's defensive system.

Deco’s Strategic Pivot To The Argentine International

Sporting Director Deco has reportedly identified Cristian Romero as the most viable alternative should the Bastoni negotiations reach a definitive impasse. Deco views the Tottenham Hotspur defender as a proven talent capable of providing immediate leadership and physical presence to the Barcelona backline. To facilitate a potential transition, the club has already opened channels of communication with Romero's agency. The strategy reflects a desire to have a pre-negotiated secondary option ready, ensuring the club does not enter the final weeks of the transfer window without a defensive solution.

The Complexity Of Negotiating With Tottenham

Securing Romero's services will not be a straightforward task for the Barcelona board. The Argentine is currently contracted to Tottenham through June 2029, placing the London-based club in a strong negotiating position. Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy is notoriously difficult to engage in player sales, particularly regarding core defensive assets who have three years remaining on their deals. Unless Romero explicitly pushes for a departure to La Liga, Barcelona may find that the financial outlay required for the Argentine matches or even exceeds the cost of their primary target in Milan.