Barcelona are interested in signing Inter Milan defender Alessandro Bastoni this summer but face significant financial hurdles and are weighing alternative options, club sources told ESPN. The Catalan club identified signing a new centerback as a priority after failing to replace Inigo Martinez last year.

Bastoni, 26, fits the profile sporting director Deco is seeking: a left-sided centre-back with top-level experience and long-term potential. His contract with Inter runs until 2027, and Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport reported Tuesday that the Serie A leaders would demand more than €50 million ($58 million) for the Italy international.

"There are other names on the list that have not yet come out," one source told ESPN, though Bastoni was highlighted as one of the leading candidates.

Aston Villa's Pau Torres and Borussia Dortmund's Nico Schlotterbeck remain previously reported targets, while Luka Vuskovic, Micky van de Ven and Manchester City's Nathan Ake have also been linked.

Barcelona's pursuit of a centerback is complicated by a parallel search for a striker. With limited resources available this summer, the club may be forced to choose between a major investment in defence or attack, potentially pushing them toward a more economical defensive option if they commit significant funds to a No. 9.

Barcelona's current centerback options include Pau Cubarsi, Eric Garcia, Ronald Araujo, Gerard Martin and Andreas Christensen. Christensen is currently injured and out of contract in the summer, though Deco has indicated the club is open to extending the Danish international's deal.