Inter Milan are prioritizing the acquisition of a central defender and a midfielder before the close of the transfer window, following the departures of Acerbi and De Vrij, according to reports from Italy. The club has so far focused on cost-effective deals, bringing in Provedel for three million and Khalaili for half the price of previously considered target Palestra.
Inter have preserved a significant portion of their budget through these deals, allowing them to potentially invest heavily in their remaining targets. The club spent 15 million on Akanji, 4.5 million plus bonuses on Massolin, and 13 million to re-sign Stankovic, but are committed to retaining key players like Bastoni and Dimarco, necessitating further investment.
Chelsea’s Trevoh Chalobah and Liverpool’s Curtis Jones have emerged as primary targets for Inter. Both players are valued at around 35 million euros. Inter initially focused on Jones, but the significant gap in valuation with Liverpool – approximately ten million euros – led them to explore other options, hoping Liverpool might lower their demands closer to the transfer deadline.
Inter have secured an agreement with Chalobah, and have also reached an understanding with Como to avoid a bidding war. While no official offer has yet been made to Chelsea, Inter are preparing a substantial bid, anticipating the Blues will reject an initial offer of 25 million euros plus bonuses from Suwarso. The next week is expected to see Inter formally approach Chelsea for the defender. This dual pursuit signifies a shift in strategy, aiming for quality reinforcements after a period of departures and budget-conscious acquisitions.
