Marotta denies Bastoni contract snub and Barcelona talks, closing door on January sale

Inter's president has rejected claims that Alessandro Bastoni snubbed a new deal or that the club are in talks with Barcelona. His words come as Barcelona look for a center-back before the Serie A winter window opens on January 2, 2027.

Inter president Giuseppe Marotta has shut down talk of an Alessandro Bastoni exit. Speaking exclusively to 365Scores, he said there was no truth in either the renewal story or the Barcelona story, FC Inter 1908 reported.

The interview follows several days of damaging headlines. Those reports claimed Bastoni had rejected several renewal proposals from Inter. They also claimed Barcelona had made contact about bringing him to Catalonia.

Marotta went further than a single rebuttal. Pressed on the renewal question, he insisted Inter want to keep the defender. The club also intend to protect him from approaches by other clubs. Marotta described Bastoni as one of the cornerstones of Inter’s project.

The paperwork backs up the president’s stance. Bastoni was 24 when the club announced his current deal, and it does not expire for some time yet.

That leaves Inter under no pressure to sell this winter. The club are not facing a player entering the final months of his deal. Marotta’s comments also push back on the idea that renewal talks have broken down. Any sale would now mean the club reversing a position its president has set out on the record.

For supporters, the message is about stability in the squad. Inter’s leadership has publicly tied Bastoni to the long-term plan rather than to the transfer market.

The timing of Marotta’s words is significant. Barcelona’s coach raised the subject of defensive reinforcements before his side played Alaves. Flick said the idea had been discussed with sporting director Deco, Bojan and his staff.

That search now runs into a clear message from Milan. Barcelona’s interest in a central defender is on the record. Inter’s refusal to entertain a deal for Bastoni is now on the record as well.

The calendar is fixed. Under the schedule set by the FIGC Federal Council, Serie A registrations close at 8 p.m. on the final day of the winter window. The rules later issued for Serie A, Serie B and Serie C clubs confirm the same dates.

Inter’s form gives the club little reason to break up the defense. They beat Feyenoord 3-0 on Champions League matchday four. Bisseck, Esposito and Zielinski scored the goals. It was Inter’s second win in a row in this season’s league phase.

After the international break, Inter host Stuttgart at San Siro on Wednesday, November 25, 2026, at 21:00 CET on Champions League matchday five.