Inter Milan legend Beppe Bergomi has fired a warning shot at the club's Serie A rivals, insisting that top-four finishes are no longer enough for the likes of Milan, Juventus, and Napoli. The former defender also made it clear that Barcelona will have to dig deep if they want to lure star defender Alessandro Bastoni away from the Nerazzurri.

In a wide-ranging interview with Repubblica, Bergomi reflected on Inter's triumphant Scudetto-winning campaign under Cristian Chivu, praising the rookie coach for his immediate impact. "I knew he'd do well," Bergomi said. "Roberto Samaden, who oversaw the youth sector for years, told me Cristian could win his players' hearts—and he did."

Bergomi singled out Lautaro Martinez as Inter's standout performer this season, hailing the Argentine captain's blend of goal-scoring and leadership. "He's the top scorer despite playing fewer games than before. He has amazing quality and leadership skills. Zielinski and Dimarco are just one step behind."

But the 59-year-old wasn't finished with his praise—or his pointed remarks to Inter's rivals. "Winning the league again is the target, and it's not just true for Inter," Bergomi said. "Milan, Napoli, and Juventus can't simply say 'we aim for a Champions League spot.' That's not fair to their fans. The Champions League is an opportunity, but it's become more complex. With the new format, if you don't finish in the top eight of the league phase, things get very tough."

Turning to transfer speculation, Bergomi addressed Barcelona's reported interest in Bastoni. "He has great value," the Inter icon warned, making it clear the Catalan giants won't land the Italy international on the cheap.

With Inter reportedly set to have a transfer budget of €40-50 million, bolstered by potential sales, Bergomi offered his wish list for reinforcements. "I'd like a physically strong central midfielder—someone like Koné, Rabiot, or Khephren Thuram—and a dribbler like Nico Paz," he said.

For Inter fans dreaming of more silverware, Bergomi's message is clear: the standards have been set, and the bar is only rising.