Bastoni Emerges as Mourinho’s Top Centre-Back Target

Real Madrid may not be done in the summer window, with Alessandro Bastoni reportedly emerging as José Mourinho’s priority target for a new left-footed centre-back. According to the Spanish press, the Portuguese boss is still pressing the board for another defender despite an already busy summer at the back — but any move for the Inter Milan man depends on sales first.

Why Mourinho wants Bastoni

Mourinho made the heart of defence a clear priority early in the window, and Los Blancos moved quickly to strengthen, with Ibrahima Konaté among the additions. Even so, reporter Miguel Serrano says the manager is insisting on a left-footed option to give Real Madrid a more balanced, secure back line — and views Bastoni as the ‘perfect’ fit for his system thanks to the Italian’s composure and ball-playing from deep. As Madrid Universal reported, Mourinho continues to rally for the defender’s arrival even amid suggestions the club is done doing business.

The Asencio question

There is a catch. With the squad already deep in defenders, Madrid would need to sell before they buy, and Raúl Asencio is the name most closely linked with the exit door, one of several who could leave before deadline day. The academy product is said to be reluctant to move without the right destination and is currently sidelined by injury, complicating any sale. Bastoni would not come cheap either, with reports placing his valuation in the region of €60m–€70m — a steep outlay for a club that senses it may already have overspent after Yan Diomandé’s big-money arrival. For now, it is one to file under ambition rather than imminent business.