Inter have been rebuffed in their pursuit of Palestra, with the player opting to join Chelsea, according to Inter sporting director Piero Ausilio. Speaking at a calciomercato event, Ausilio described the situation as a “two of spades worse than in high school,” indicating a decisive rejection despite Inter’s offer.
Ausilio revealed that Inter’s bid for Palestra was less than half of the offer ultimately accepted from Chelsea. He acknowledged the limitations when facing competition from clubs able to offer significantly higher wages, stating that “if a club proposes a higher salary, there isn’t much you can do.” Inter now intend to focus on recruiting a right-sided player, but will proceed without rushing into a decision.
Ausilio also dismissed the possibility of signing Real Madrid’s Camavinga, citing the financial realities of the transfer. He stated that Camavinga’s wages and overall cost were “not a feasible path.” However, he confirmed Inter’s continued interest in Curtis Jones of Liverpool, as well as Solet and Chalobah, describing them as profiles the club is actively monitoring. Ausilio emphasized the importance of signing players who can genuinely improve an already strong squad, prioritizing “functional” additions over simply making a splash.
Regarding Nico Paz, who remained at Como, Ausilio clarified that Inter did not pursue a deal due to other priorities. He also spoke positively about Stankovic’s development, noting Inter’s consistent interest in bringing him back to the club, and indicated that a future evaluation would determine next steps. Ausilio concluded by stating the club’s ambition to improve their Champions League performance next season and deferred discussion of his own contract renewal.
