Football
Inter and AC Milan are looking for replacements! How do the Milan clubs plan to strengthen after star departures?
Two years ago Inter won the title, last year AC Milan won it again. This year, the two clubs met in the semi-finals of the Champions League, showing the football world that they are back among the elite. However, financial shortcomings have been a long-standing problem in Italy and both clubs have had to let go of their mainstays.
Two years ago Inter won the title, last year AC Milan won it again. This year, the two clubs met in the semi-finals of the Champions League, showing the football world that they are back among the elite. However, financial shortcomings have been a long-standing problem in Italy and both clubs have had to let go of their mainstays.
In Inter’s case, it’s a bit worse, as they will get nothing for long-time back-row mainstay Milan Škriniar. In fact, the Slovakian midfielder has not signed a contract and has agreed a deal with PSG.
Inter have eyed a replacement in Chelsea, namely Kalidou Koulibaly, who is very well proven by the Italian league. However, Inter and Chelsea failed to reach an agreement and the Senegalese headed to Saudi Arabia in search of money. Another Chelsea defender in Inter’s sights, César Azpilicueta, has again headed to Atlético Madrid.
The only stopper Inter have brought in so far is 22-year-old German talent Yann Aurel Bisseck. He also made his debut at this year’s Under-21 Euro, where he certainly impressed with his performances. But perhaps even better was the performance of Spartan full-back Martin Vitik, who Inter are also reportedly interested in.
Another interesting alternative for Inter is Atalanta’s Merih Demiral, but he has relatively frequent health problems. Inter are also considering bringing in Josip Šutal from Hajduk Split or Zen Debasta from Anderlecht, but the Italian league experience plays against them for Demiral.
Marcelo Brozovic, who has been absolutely indispensable for the Nerazzurri for the last 8 years, has also left Inter. But now he’s headed to Al Nassr for €18 million to join Cristiano Ronaldo. However, Inter have already found an excellent replacement for him. Davide Frattesi will come from Sassuolo for 25 million euros.
City rival AC also succumbed to Arab money, but this time from the owners of English side Newcastle. That’s where fan favourite Sandro Tonali is going. The circumstances of his transfer are quite strange, as he may not have wanted to leave, but the 64 million euros to the club’s coffers will come in handy for the Rossoneri.
As a replacement for the talented midfielder, they have eyed several players. The first one is Ruben Loftus Cheek, who has already signed for the club and his transfer from Chelsea has been so successfully completed.
The next name on the list is Yunus Musah from Valencia, who is one of America’s top hopes and was part of the starting lineup during the World Cup. His price tag could be around €20 million and the Rossoneri have already sent a first offer to Valencia.
Even closer seems to be the transfer of Tijjani Reijnders from AZ Alkmaar. Although the Dutch club rejected the first offer, which amounted to €19 million, the player himself is pushing for a transfer and the clubs will renegotiate.
In addition to the midfield, AC is also improving the edges of the pitch. They are very interested in Valladolid’s outside midfielder Iván Fresneda. Luka Romero will sign as a free agent after his contract expires at Lazio. And the transfer of Christian Pulisic from Chelsea also seems very close.
Sources: Fabrizio Romano, Transfermarkt, Rudy Galetti, Gianluca Di Marzio