It would not be the first time that a player long linked with Barcelona or Real Madrid ended up joining their greatest rival instead. But will that be the case with Alessandro Bastoni?For a long time, the Inter center-back was thrilled by Barcelona’s interest, which suddenly cooled off for one clear reason — finances! The Italian champions were demanding €70 million for their player, and after Robert Lewandowski announced that he would leave Catalonia, the club’s top priority for the upcoming transfer window became a world-class striker (read: probably Julian Alvarez).🚨 BREAKING: José Mourinho, new incoming manager of Real Madrid, really likes Alessandro Bastoni. Mourinho believes Bastoni would bring a boost in quality to Real Madrid's defence. 🇮🇹#Inter values the defender at €70M. [via @latigoserrano, @YouTube] pic.twitter.com/PcbVaaKBco— Inter Xtra (@Inter_Xtra) May 18, 2026 Now, according to Gazzetta dello Sport, another door has opened for the 27-year-old defender — Real Madrid. The speculation was fueled by the Italy international himself, after he liked an Instagram post about Jose Mourinho’s return to Real Madrid. Some sources also claim that the outstanding Nerazzurri defender is already on the Portuguese coach’s wishlist.The truth is that major changes are expected — and are in fact already happening — in the defense of the Royal Club. Dani Carvajal and David Alaba are leaving, Antonio Rudiger is also close to the exit, while the futures of Fran García, Ferland Mendy, and Raul Asencio remain uncertain.Eder Militao is injured and will miss the Club World Cup, while the arrival of a center-back has become urgent in order to strengthen a back line weakened by injuries over recent seasons.🚨 JUST IN: Alessandro Bastoni LIKED @FabrizioRomano's post about José Mourinho joining Real Madrid. 👀 pic.twitter.com/XjEGLF8iJP— Madrid Zone (@theMadridZone) May 20, 2026 There are currently few better options on the market than the Atalanta academy graduate, who is approaching 300 appearances for the Nerazzurri. With Inter, he has won all three major Italian trophies three times each — the league title, the Coppa Italia, and the Supercoppa Italiana — and he also became European champion with Italy in 2021. Although his contract with the Milan club runs until June 2028, it feels like the right moment for him to take the next big step in his career…SERIE A ROUND 38FridayFiorentina – Atalanta 1-1 (1-0)/Piccoli 39 – Comuzzo 82 og/Saturday19.00: (3.00) Bologna (3.50) Inter (2.30) Sunday16.00: (2.75) Parma (3.20) Sassuolo (2.65) 19.00: (1.50) Napoli (4.20) Udinese (6.75) 21.45: (5.70) Cremonese (3.80) Como (1.63)21.45: (1.75) Lecce (3.50) Genoa (5.00) 21.45: (1.28) Milan (5.40) Cagliari (12.0) 21.45: (7.25) Torino (4.40) Juventus (1.45) 21.45: (11.0) Verona (5.20) Roma (1.30) ***odds are subject to change***