Real Madrid keeping a close eye on Barcelona-linked defender

La Liga giants Real Madrid are keen admirers of a player hotly tipped for a move to none other than arch rivals Barcelona earlier this summer.

The individual in question? Alessandro Bastoni.

Defender Bastoni of course saw his name dominate the Spanish media headlines for some time over recent months.

This came after the Italian international was widely reported to have been identified by Barcelona as the club’s leading defensive transfer target for next season.

In the end, the Blaugrana opted against a move for Bastoni, with the trail having since gone cold.

But as alluded to above, the 27-year-old landing in Spain at some point this summer does not yet appear to have been completely ruled out.

As per a report from The Athletic, amid their own search for fresh blood at the back:

‘Inter’s Alessandro Bastoni, 27, and Borussia Dortmund’s Nico Schlotterbeck, 26, are highly rated.’

Conor Laird – GSFN