Barcelona's pursuit of a top-tier center-back this summer is heating up, with Inter Milan's Alessandro Bastoni firmly at the top of their wishlist. The Italian international represents the ideal profile to bolster Xavi's defense, but the financial realities at Camp Nou mean Director of Football Deco must have a Plan B ready.

While negotiations for Bastoni are reportedly underway, a significant gap remains between Barcelona's initial offer and Inter's valuation. This has forced the Catalan club to explore more affordable options in the market, a familiar scenario given their well-documented budgetary constraints.

Enter Jhon Lucumí. According to reports from Italy, the Bologna and Colombia defender has emerged as a serious cut-price alternative. With just one year left on his contract, the 27-year-old could be available for around €25 million—a figure far more palatable for Barcelona's finances than a blockbuster deal for Bastoni.

Lucumí brings a compelling profile to the table. A left-footed, pacy defender who came through the famed Deportivo Cali academy, he has developed into a reliable presence for a Bologna side that shocked Serie A by qualifying for the Champions League. His experience, with 35 caps for Colombia, adds to his appeal as a ready-made solution.

However, Barcelona won't have a free run at him. The report suggests interest from clubs in England and Turkey, including Bournemouth and Sunderland, indicating a potential bidding war. For Deco and Barcelona, the coming weeks will be a delicate balancing act: pushing for their primary target in Bastoni while keeping a shrewd, cost-effective option like Lucumí firmly in their sights as the transfer window intensifies.