Bastoni transfer to Real Madrid complicated by Asencio situation
Quick summary
Real Madrid's pursuit of Inter Milan defender Alessandro Bastoni has been complicated by developments around young defender Raul Asencio, altering the club's defensive transfer plans.
Full article
Attributed to original sourceItaly international Alessandro Bastoni is reportedly of interest to Jose Mourinho and Real Madrid, but an injury to Raul Asencio has complicated any chance that the 15-time Champions League winners had of landing the Inter centre-back.
Asencio injury makes Bastoni move to Madrid unlikely Bastoni has been linked with moves to both Barcelona and Real Madrid at various stages of the off-season. More recently, reports from Spanish outlet AS have claimed that Mourinho wants two more new signings this summer: One in midfield and one at centre-back and that Bastoni is the player that the Portuguese coach wants in defence .
MILAN, ITALY – MAY 17: Alessandro Bastoni of FC Internazionale Milano poses for a photo with the Coppa Campioni d’Italia and Coppa Italia trophies following the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Hellas Verona FC at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on May 17, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images) However, in order for Madrid to bring in any new signings at centre-back, they will first need to sell given that they already have five high-earners in their senior squad with Asencio, Antonio Rudiger, Ibrahima Konate, Dean Huijsen and Eder Militao.
Militao is currently nursing an injury, Konate has only joined the club this summer, Huijsen a year ago and Rudiger has recently signed a new contract extension, which means that if Madrid are to sell a centre-back this summer, the signs point towards academy graduate Asencio.
However, Madrid have recently confirmed that Asencio has suffered a muscular injury, which is likely to keep him sidelined for around six weeks.
That means that a move away from Madrid for Asencio before the close of the summer transfer window next month now appears unlikely, which also massively complicated any chance of Bastoni moving from Inter to the Bernabeu.
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What happened
Real Madrid had identified Inter Milan's Alessandro Bastoni as a key defensive target, but the rising stock of homegrown defender Raul Asencio has changed the calculus in the Spanish capital. With Asencio now viewed as a long-term option in central defence, Madrid may no longer need to commit significant resources to a marquee signing for that position. The shift complicates negotiations and could force Inter to retain Bastoni or accept a lower offer. The situation remains fluid and depends on Asencio's development and Madrid's broader squad planning.
Chance analysis
For Inter, the risk of losing a cornerstone defender eases if Madrid pull back, strengthening their defensive stability. For Real Madrid, faith in Asencio signals a youth-driven defensive transition but raises questions about depth and Champions League-level readiness. The story reflects how internal academy breakthroughs can reshape elite transfer strategies.
Bastoni is more likely to stay at Inter; Real Madrid's defensive recruitment strategy pivots toward internal option Asencio rather than a marquee signing.
Real Madrid's reduced need for a new centre-back lowers the probability of a major defensive signing this window and may keep Bastoni at Inter.