Inter Milan target Moussa Diaby as Chivu seeks fifth forward
Inter Milan are preparing a renewed attempt to sign French winger Moussa Diaby from Saudi Arabian club Al-Ittihad this summer, according to reports from Italy. The move is a key part of manager Cristian Chivu's plan to add a different profile to his attacking options ahead of the new season, despite the Nerazzurri being on the cusp of securing the Serie A title.
Chivu has reportedly been adamant since last summer about the need for an attacker who offers a distinct skill set from his current forwards. The club attempted to sign Ademola Lookman from Atalanta at that time, but a deal failed to materialize. In the January transfer window, Inter identified Diaby as the ideal candidate, but their proposal of a loan with a conditional obligation to buy for a total of 35 million euros was rejected by Al-Ittihad, who were dealing with other high-profile departures.
The situation is expected to be different this summer, with Dialy himself said to be keen on a return to European football. Al-Ittihad, who are actively pursuing Mohamed Salah, may be more open to a sale. Inter's sporting executives, Giuseppe Marotta and Piero Ausilio, are confident they can negotiate a lower fee, though the Saudi club paid Aston Villa approximately 60 million euros for the player just last summer. Diaby's profile as a direct, dribbling winger capable of one-on-one situations is precisely what Chivu desires to add tactical variety to a forward line featuring Lautaro Martinez, Marcus Thuram, Pio Esposito, and Valentin Carboni.
This pursuit comes as Inter plan a broader squad refresh following their Scudetto success. The club is also targeting a new goalkeeper, with Guglielmo Vicario named as a potential successor to Yann Sommer, and defensive reinforcements such as Strahinja Pavlovic and Castello Lukeba are on the radar. In midfield, the preferred target is said to be Roma's Edoardo Bove, while young Aleksandar Stankovic will return from loan. The future of wing-back Denzel Dumfries will also influence activity in the wide areas.
The push for a fifth forward underscores Inter's ambition to not only defend their domestic crown but also make a deeper run in the UEFA Champions League, having been eliminated in the group stage this season. While Diaby is the primary target, the club's long-term dream remains Real Madrid's Argentine youngster Nico Paz. Regardless of the final name, Chivu and the Inter hierarchy are aligned on the principle that strengthening their offensive depth is a necessity for the challenges ahead.
