u/vik1980

I'd say Inter are (somewhat) in the same boat Juve were in a decade ago. Back then, they had a core of Buffon, Bonucci & Chiellini. They'd reached the CL Final twice (2015, 2017), and lost both times.

Rather than being smart & pragmatic, they decided to invest to make sure their 'senators' would get the proper 'send-off' they deserved. They spend a 100m for C. Ronaldo; thus blowing up their wage structure, and leveraging future spending to try and get over the hump.

They didn't another final. Covid meant they were financially hamstrung for a long time.

Inter are in a very similar situation. They have a core (Nico, Marcus, Lautaro, Hakan, Dimarco) who're all 29+. They've all been here 5+ years (with the exception of Marcus). They've also lost the Final twice (2023 & 2025). Very similar situations, I'd say.

However, Inter, the last few years, have been working to get a nice core of youngsters too. They spend 15m for Sucic in Jan., because they felt he could contribute right away, was undervalued, and would become prohibitive if they waited. When Napoli offered 40m for Pio, their youth member who'd never played in Serie A before, they had the confidence to refuse. They chose to spend 13m (net) to develop Alex, ensuring he's worthy of Inter (& his father's number).

This summer, Inter could've invested in buying more youngsters; making sure the senators keep their cycle going while the current crop develops to start a new cycle in 3-4 years. They tried this (Palestra, Anan) but didn't succeed. They could've chosen to splurge on a 'flash' signing (Cancelo, Rodri, Rube Dias etc.) who'd also address their team requirements well. How much they'd have succeeded (Cancelo chose Barca over them in Jan.) is a question mark! I'm sure they must've been tempted to send this current group of senators off in style.

In face of failure to get in one of the two boats, what they're doing is what's impressive. Stones for free (on reasonable wages) is a better signing that Dias for 60-80m. He replaces the experience lost (DV & Acerbi). Between Spence & Jones (potentially, hopefully), they'll tie the two cycles together. At 25-27, they form the new core (together with Basto), while still having the 'senators' in their prime.

Almost all the other competitors (Napoli, Milan, Atalanta, Bologna) have new coaches. Juve have a lot of new faces to offer certainties. Only Roma & Como offer some form of continuance. Depending on how others move (in future), Inter, between their 'senators' (29+), the 'current core' (25-27) and the 'kids (~23), could rule Serie A for a long time.

Jamal Iddrissou (Schira) - Lots of interest from abroad for him. He's keen on this option (loan/ sale + buy-back), but Inter keen that he stays with U23 and continues his development.

Kostov (Serbian Media) - Months ago, Inter were keen, but word got out that he prefers Arsenal. Now, Arsenal concentrating on Vinicius & seems like we're negotiating. Rumours say a 'synery' with Cagliari (for loan). Talk of a 20m deal.

Diaby (Di Marzio) - Inter have offered both Pavard & Aslani as counterparts for him. Diaby salary is also quite high. Sport Italia says his club will need to pay a part of it. We've not heard anything back. Neither positive, nor negative. Even the players entourage hasn't heard anything from the club.

Kayode (TS) - We've been offered Kayode. We're open to the idea but he's extremely expensive.

Romero (Romano) - Fee agreed with Spur (40m). Salary also agreed (6m incl. bonus). Oaktree wait for sale of Pavard before giving approval.

Mosconi - Chivu impressed by left footed, fast & technical RW/ FWD. Wants him to stay and alternate between U23 & first team.

Faggiano (Salernitana DS) jokes - "Ausilio didn't go on tour with the team, there's a lot going on here. Piero is sleeping with one eye open...".

This summer, I've seen big transfers come at break neck speed, with mind boggling numbers.

Anderson - 135m

Rogers - 138m

Tonali - 108m

Fernandes - 99m

Gordon - 80m

Ramos - 74m

Summerville - 65m

Jacquet - 64m

Manzambi - 60m

Van Hecke - 60m

And do keep in mind, these are just the completed transfers. They don't include Diomande (135m), Barcola (120+m), Guimares (80m) and other unconfirmed transfer rumors (Alvarez, Vinicius etc.).

In contrast, Milan has one name in this list (Ramos). Juventus has Muani (loan+option/ obligation) for 50m, and Alajbegovic (40m). Roma took Castro (35m).

Just these figures alone show how far back Serie A is, in comparison to the PL & the rest of the big clubs. Even a small english club like Brighton can spend 54m for a young croatian CB, a figure which is simply incomprehensible for even the big italian clubs.

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This brings us to my second point :-

FIGC needs to get their act together.

Back in the late 90s, (and early 2000's), Serie A was the leading league in the world. However, they never morednised. No english commentary, or times which suited the Asian market. England did both, and so saw the popularity of the PL rise tremendously in South East Asia.

Back then, my own university (I was studying in England) made us write reports on a company of our choosing. And they wanted to showcase the strategic direction the company should go in, and conduct a SWOT analysis, and other things.

While most kids chose traditional companies (I chose to do it on the Uni. itself), someone I knew did his on Manchester United. He gave me a brief breakdown of his report; things like how lucrative that region (South Korea, Japan, Singapore etc.) is for United, and how United should embark on South East Asia pre-season tours more. He suggested how they might increase their popularity to the next level by signing 1-2 players from that part of the region. The guy mentioned Nakata as an example.

Sure enough, we saw Park Ji Sun get signed by United shortly after, and the TV money from that region really catapulted PL beyond any other league. That they offered english commentary, and used TV times that suited the Asian market more really helped in this regard.

Meanwhile, the italian owners (and FIGC) never learnt. Owners paid out of pocket, until it was no longer feasible. Old & historic italian families (Moratti, Berlusconi, Sensi etc.) never got the accounting side of clubs in order. Never ran it as a business. Kept pumping money into the clubs, until they no longer could. When their own wells ran dry, they sold, mostly to outsiders.

Even today, I still see the same problems. The biggest, the showcase matches (big three; sever sisters) get played on sunday evening (italian time), which means they're far too late for Asia (0100-0300 hrs.).

What's much worse; last season saw Serie A not being telecast in India. The most populated country in the world, a country that eats the PL product like bread, and Serie A is not being telecast here!. It doesn't matter that Indian broadcasters (or OTT platforms) can't afford to pay much for Serie A broadcasting rights. FIGC should make sure it's still telecast! In hindsight, it'll end up being incredibly short sighted if they don't.

Then we find the same problems (bureaucracy, red-tape) of teams owning their own stadium. Roma project to own/ contruct their own stadium is a decade in the making. Still no confirmation. Inter & Milan finally got ownership, but not without pending appeals & cases.

The product (italian football) is still strong. And the finances are in shambles. That's why you find vultures (Redbird, Oaktree, Friedkins) swoop in to take ownership. They'll have to fight the italian govt. for ownership of stadiums. They'll have to revamp the FIGC for better TV product, and they'll have to ensure consistent investment so their own clubs still perform. They're still willing to do it all, because they see financial sense in it.

Italy (Serie A) really needs to get their act together. Otherwise they'll fall back even further in comparison to other leagues.

When Malago was first elected, people were apprehensive. Another old guy to rinse and repeat the same shit. He said he was different. He promised change. He promised to be unlike a dinosaur, and bring Italia into the 21st century.

When he first wanted Maldini (as a liason between clubs and NT!!), he refused. Maldini has always chosen power over title & money. He wanted power to make change. He wanted responsibility. He wanted nothing about being a figurehead. Same reason he initially resisted taking a job at AC Milan, and why he was let go after doing so well for them as DS.

Still, Malago convinced him. When Maldini finally acquiesced, he passed comments along the lines of, "My first choice was Maldini. The new NT will start first from Maldini. everything else is secondary." He even hired Leonardo as 'consultant' to aide Maldini. It all seemed promising.

Then comes the turbulence. Maldini (& Leonardo), after being rejected by Ancelotti (tied to Brazil) and Guardiola (wants a break), turned to Pirlo in their search for a NT coach. Choice was underwhelming. Pirlo, in his short managerial career, hasn't achieved much, even if he's read a lot of tactical books, and worked under some of the greatest coaches in history.

Malago seemed open to the idea (publicly), but didn't like Pirlo's marketing deal with a Russian betting company. That was the reason his candidacy was rejected. I've read that Shecchenko even called everyone (Maldini, Pirlo, Leonardo & many others) critisizing this deal. As a Ukranian himself, his words carried weight.

Here's when things really went off track. Thanks to Shevchenko, Maldini (& Leonardo) didn't resign instantly. They proposed Thiago Motta. His name too (for reasons not shared) was rejected by Malago. It was here that Maldini realized that he was just a figurehead, and both him & Leonardo promptly resigned.

If you thought this was bad, it became worse still, for Malago. While the rest of Lega wanted Conte, Malago confirmed Mancini. While Mancini has guided the NT to a Euro, he resigned in a shameless manner (using non-existent reasons), only to take oil money (managing SA NT). Capello, of all people, has been quite vocal in his anti-Mancini sentiments, and his resignation is the primary reason for it.

If anyone had any doubts about this last para, Marotta pretty much confirmed everything. When asked, he said, " Nobody discussed Mancini, only the process." i.e.- Malago hired him unilaterally, and didn't discuss with anyone (of note, outsiders).

Now, after promising change, an upheaval of ancient mentality, of obsolete training methods, Malago unilaterally hired Mancini for coach, Ranieri for liason, and Zola for youth training. No change in sight.

He still young, ideal profile for our project (offensive wb who can also play on the opposite flank).

Roma need to sell. Gasp keeps hinting at “an important sale”. So far, much like with us, no real offers have arrived for their available players. Not for Kone (we backed out, no offers yet from united or Arsenal). Nothing for pisilli, Ndicka or Soule.

They also like fratessi and Augusto (so the media will have us believe).

Why not make an offer of 25m + fratessi/ Augusto (both valued at 25m).

[fcinternews.it] Inter evaluating Pavard offers (one from SA, and an one from Turkey). Both offer 3 year deals at higher wages. Currently. Pavard has put everything on hold because he wants to convince Chivu into giving him a chance.

[Wyness- Former CEO of Everton & Aston Villa] - If Tottenham sign Neco Williams (N Forest), then I expect Spence to go to Everton.

[Serrano- Spain]- Bastoni still on Real radar. Inter price remains at 70m.

[Topalovic]- I sit next to Mkhi at the table. He gives a lot of advice.

He's a 18yo FW from our youth team. He got an offer from Cologne for a 700k loan fee + option to buy for 7m. Rejected by Inter. Sources say Inter want to maintain a close control over his future, and insist on 15m buy back next year, and a 18m buy back in year two. Wolsfburg & Brentford are also keen.

One will be an 'additional starter'. The second will be a 'low cost' option towards the end of the market.

Chalobah's now ruled out. Too high an evaluation (35+m), and too high a salary demand.

Mancini's chances are gaining ground. No renewal (2027 expiry), + ideal CCB (physical, aerial dominance + inter supporter.

Additionaly, [TS] thinks Doue isn't a target. Valuation is high, & Chivu isn't convinced.

We've lost three central defenders (one starter, two back-ups). We've lost the starting RWB, and our coach isn't convinced by the back-up. He's trying to develop a midfielder as a RWB.

We've seen both option A & B for the RWB collapse at the last minute. Now, we're in a situation where there is no clear option 'C'.

We go for pre-season in two days and, so far, no replacements have come.

We need to move 3-4 'surplus' signings. None have left so far. We've also got a glut in midfield, and still chase yet another (though he'd be a fantastic addition).

Someone ring the alarm bell. It's time to wake up Marotta & co. + Oaktree.

Inter's efforts will now focus on the defender. According to the transfer expert, a new signing is likely to be made soon. Ausilio said two will arrive, but at least one will arrive soon. Inter have a preference for Trevor Chalobah , but an agreement with Chelsea hasn't been reached yet. While we wait to see if he's the one, the news is that they'll have a defender in Cristian Chivu in the next few days.

[GdS] - Chalobah remains the top name, but NDicka & Mancini are also monitored. Contacts have also emerged for Lucumi in the last few days. Idea is for a "ready made" CB and a young profile.

1. Maye, a lcb known for his recovery speed, aggressive style of defending & decent techqniue on the ball is attracting interest from both foreign & italian clubs. Currently, all talks are on hold as Chivu has decided to take a closer look at him in training.

2. Our interest in Lucumi is getting re-kindled. Bologna has also asked for loans of Akinsanmiro & Massolin.

3. Bournemouth are again showing interest in signing Luis Henrique. They made an offer (loan + option) in January, but rejected by Inter.

The goalkeeper's agent took to Instagram to harshly attack the Old Lady:

"20 new players in two seasons, 3 coaches in 2 seasons, 3 managements in 2 seasons. These are the numbers that make the real difference. Di Gregorio finishes fourth in the Sofascore rankings; ahead of M. Savic and Sommer, the league winner and runner-up. The French management spent €130 million on three unpresentable forwards. To cover the crazy spending, they blamed the season's failure entirely on the goalkeeper, bought by the previous management in person by Sporting Director C. Giuntoli. As the best goalkeeper in Serie A at 26 years old. Goals conceded: Juventus 34 - Inter 35. Goals scored: Juventus 61 - Inter 82. There's no point in talking. Di Gregorio has a three-year contract with Juventus. He'll leave for a retreat, and during the transfer window, we'll explore any opportunities.

All four of Bisseck, Augusto, Bastoni and Akanji (mostly) are more comfortable at the outside cb position.

We need a true ccb to replace Acerbi/ DV. Someone dominant in the air, great at man marking, and fast enough to cover the ground from a high line. That’s the profile we should target.

Tiago Gabriel is all that, young, and we might get for a relatively low price (as compared to other international profile players). We might even get lecce to take some youth players, or accept loan +obligation offer.

He should be me of the two cb ausilio confirmed.

Disclaimer - If you want Paz/ Jones/ Palestra new, this is not your post. It's not a big name, or even a transfer. Now, for the actual post.

Baccin has been recommending Chivu to give Yvan Maye a closer look during pre-season training.

He's a 1.90 m tall, left footed french CB. He's rumored (I've never seen him play) to be a modern defender. He's fast, with good coverage & defense in a high-line, aggressive in duels & decent technique on the ball. He's also rumored to have a good reading of the defensive phase of the game, but his biggest facet is his ability to defend in open play.

Chivu always appreciates strong, fast defenders with high level concentration & area for growth. Several italian & foreign clubs have expressed an interest in him, but Chivu (thanks to Baccin's recommendation) has put everything on hold.

He'll evaluate Maye closely during pre-season training before deciding what to do with him.

"Dreaming of seeing Marco Palestra, Oumar Solet, Curtis Jones, and Nico Paz at Inter in the same transfer window is unrealistic." Fabrizio Romano, on his YouTube channel , takes stock of the situation, emphasising on a fairly obvious truth. According to the expert, barring any crazy events, it would be impossible for the Nerazzurri to focus on both the Englishman, for whom Liverpool has angrily rejected the latest offer and are demanding over 10m more to sell him, and the argentine, who's situation is still being finalized.

Como still has the upper hand, and will meet Real on Thursday, possibly hoping to confirm the second year of his contract. Real are quite clear, they'll purchase him, then sell him for a high price to raise cash. Como will have prority, but if an agreement isn't reached, Inter (who're on the sidelines) will jump in.

Obviously, Romano reiterates, if the Nerazzurri were able to acquire the 2004-born Argentine, they would abandon the pursuit of Jones.

The deal will ultimately conclude at 47m (fixed price) + 5m (bonus) + 10% of future sales for Palestra.

Lucci in Milan to get approval from the two clubs.

According to Di Marzio, a meeting is scheduled between Como & Real for Thursday, to discuss the future of Nico Paz. This meeting is going to be decisive for Como.

Como want to extend the loan for another year (current one ends on 30th June; that the deadline for Real to exercise their buy-back). Perez has become much more rigid in these days (as opposed to being open to the idea of letting Paz stay in Como for another year). Now, Perez wants to buy him back (for 9m), then sell him around 60m, while still maintaining a buy-back (around 80m).

Como currently cannot afford this, specifically for FFP reasons.

Inter, meanwhile, observes with interest.

Lautaro has been working on Paz (both at the World Cup with Argentina) on selling Milan (& Inter) as an ideal place to reach the next level. JZ4 also has close relations with Paz sr. (room mates for nationnal team 20+ years ago).

First, Real need to exercise their buy-back in time. Then, several exits (Pavard, Asla, Diouf/ Henrique) are needed.

In a recent meeting with Perez, Marotta let Perez know that, if Real were open to letting Paz go, to keep him informed about the situation. In short, Marotta thinks of Paz becoming available as the ideal 'market opportunity'. He'll be ready to strike, should the chance come up.

The truth (so it's claimed) will come out in three days.

Acerbi, DarmIan and de vrij (practically confirmed) are set to leave.

We have bastonI, bisseck akanji and solet (practically confirmed) as the CBs for next season.

That’s fourth for three starting spots. That’s too few. We need atleast one, if not two new cbs.

From what I’ve been reading, there might be a akanji style deal (loan + option on favourable conditions) towards the end of the market.

This led me to speculate who we could get. It would either be someone on the older side, who’d be available on favourable conditions, or someone young, who wouldn’t pressure the starting four for tons of minutes.

Kim min jae- didn’t have great time at Bauer’s. He’s supposedly available. Would be a great ccb addition.

Gimenez- seemingly available. Again, solid veteran presence.

Tiago Gabriel- age and wage will suit us. Contract runs till 2027 only (with option to extend). If we include someone young, it might be a master stroke.

Ostigard- seemingly, we make the ideal replacement for dv, and looking at a 15m deal.

Other than these, let me know your pref and realistic options.

P.s.- chose to exclude augusto from this post because there’s not yet clarity on what’s happening with him.

Agent Ariatti—who represents several young players, including Alessio Cacciamani (monitored by the Nerazzurri during his recent season at Juve Stabia)—is at the club's headquarters.

Alessio Cacciamani, one of the revelations of the last Serie B season while playing for Juve Stabia. Inter have been following him in recent months, with the young full-back, born in 2007, returning to Torino after his loan, where he will be reunited with Abate as coach. The Granata have every intention of keeping him, and would ask for no less than €10m if he were to be sold.

Ariatti is also the intermediary for Italy who handles the interests of Leo Ostigard, one of Genoa's transfer market men after a positive season under De Rossi. The Norwegian defender is also shining at the World Cup and Inter could give him some thought if De Vrij were to decide not to renew his contract with the Nerazzurri. His valuation is around € 15 million.