Reports from Okdiario and corroborated by La Gazzetta dello Sport indicate that the incoming Portuguese manager has already held planning conversations with Real Madrid's football directorate, and that the Inter Milan centre-back is the player on whom both the coach and the club agree.
Mourinho is said to have spoken directly with Bastoni to outline his vision for the defence and the role the 26-year-old Italy international would play in it. According to those reports, Bastoni was convinced by the conversation and has given an initial indication that he is open to the move.
The urgency is structural.
Real Madrid will enter the summer with their defensive options dramatically depleted. David Alaba has left on the expiry of his contract. Antonio Rüdiger, 33, has yet to agree a renewal. Raúl Asencio is considered transferable. Eduardo Camavinga-era signing Aurélien Tchouaméni has been shifted outward, and Éder Militão will not return from a serious knee injury before January at the earliest. That leaves Dean Huijsen as the only centre-back with a guaranteed place in next season's squad.
Both Mourinho and the club regard the signing of a world-class centre-back as a necessity at any price.
Barcelona had been the frontrunner for Bastoni's signature for several months. The Catalan club's sporting director Deco had identified him as the priority defensive addition and personal terms had been discussed. But coach Hansi Flick developed reservations about whether Bastoni's profile fit what he wanted technically, and Barcelona have now stepped aside — leaving the path clear for Real Madrid.
Inter Milan have set a minimum asking price of €70 million to €75 million. They are not willing sellers and will not negotiate from a position of weakness, but the figure is well within Real Madrid's financial capacity in a way it was not for Barcelona.
Mourinho's broader assessment of the squad is that the attacking talent — built around the trio of Kylian Mbappé, Vinícius Júnior and Rodrygo, with contributions from Endrick, Brahim Díaz and Arda Güler — is sufficient. The gaps are in central midfield and at the back.
His ambition is to have Bastoni integrated before pre-season begins.