Inter Milan target Moussa Diaby as Chivu seeks fifth striker
Inter Milan are preparing a renewed move for French winger Moussa Diaby this summer as manager Cristian Chivu pushes to add a fifth attacking option to his squad. According to reports from Italy, the Serie A champions-elect have identified the 26-year-old, currently at Saudi Pro League side Al-Ittihad, as their primary target to add a different profile to their forward line. The club's sporting directors, Giuseppe Marotta and Piero Ausilio, saw a loan proposal with a conditional obligation to buy for a total of 35 million euros rejected in January, but they intend to return with another offer at the season's end.
Chivu has reportedly been vocal since last summer about his desire for an attacker who excels in one-on-one situations and can provide a "different solution" with dribbling and pace. The failed pursuit of Ademola Lookman, who later joined Atletico Madrid, has led Inter back to Diaby. The club believes the player's own desire to return to European football, coupled with Al-Ittihad's potential need to sell as they target Mohamed Salah, could facilitate a deal, even if the fee remains a significant hurdle given the 60 million euros the Saudi club paid Aston Villa in 2024.
This transfer activity occurs as Inter, on the verge of securing their 21st Serie A title and with a Coppa Italia final against Lazio on May 13th, plans a squad refresh for next season's domestic and Champions League campaigns. The club is expected to be active in multiple departments, with a goalkeeper, defenders, and a midfielder also on the agenda. In attack, however, the core of Lautaro Martinez, Marcus Thuram, the emerging Pio Esposito, and reliable backup Valentin Bonny is set to remain intact.
The potential addition of Diaby represents a strategic shift rather than a necessity, aimed at granting Chivu greater tactical flexibility. The manager seeks a player whose natural game is to break lines and create numerical superiority, a dimension he feels is currently missing. While Diaby is the concrete target for this role, the report notes that the "great dream" for the club remains Real Madrid's young Argentine talent Nico Paz, though that move is considered more complex.
The broader context of Inter's planning involves several potential departures that could free up resources. Defenders Francesco Acerbi, Matteo Darmian, and possibly Stefan de Vrij—who will be offered a reduced renewal—are likely to move on, while the future of wing-back Denzel Dumfries remains uncertain. The pursuit of a player like Diaby, therefore, is part of a calculated rebuild aimed at maintaining domestic supremacy while improving their fortunes in Europe, where a return to at least the Champions League round of 16 is the stated goal.
