Inter right-back Denzel Dumfries has completed a move to Real Madrid, Inter sporting director Piero Ausilio revealed during an appearance on the Supernova podcast hosted by Alessandro Cattelan. Ausilio discussed a range of topics, including the departure of Dumfries, potential defensive reinforcements, and a recent meeting with Romelu Lukaku.
Ausilio detailed a recent encounter with Lukaku in Monte Carlo, following their strained separation three years prior. He described initial awkwardness and coolness, which eventually gave way to a warm embrace. Ausilio admitted to telling Lukaku he believed the striker mishandled the situation, potentially influenced by disappointment over not playing in the Champions League final or feeling undervalued. He suggested that open communication with himself and Simone Inzaghi could have resolved the issues, potentially keeping Lukaku at Inter, but the Belgian chose a different path, abruptly disappearing and ceasing regular communication despite initial enthusiasm for the arrival of Marcus Thuram.
Regarding potential replacements, Ausilio confirmed Inter had considered signing Marcus Thuram two years before his eventual arrival in 2023. The club identified Thuram as an ideal fit for their system, envisioning a positional change for the player. After acquiring Dzeko following Lukaku’s departure, they targeted Thuram as a third attacking option, engaging in discussions with him and his father about the role. However, a knee injury sustained against Bayer Leverkusen delayed the move by two years, ultimately leading to Thuram joining Inter after Lukaku’s final departure.
The conversation also touched on potential defensive targets, with Atalanta’s Caleb Paletta mentioned as a possible replacement for Dumfries. Ausilio acknowledged the challenges of the current market, noting that Inter’s competitors are primarily based abroad, particularly in leagues with wealthier clubs. He expressed a desire to find a younger replacement for Dumfries, highlighting previous successful signings of Cancelo, Hakimi, and Dumfries himself, and hoping to add another player of similar caliber.
Ausilio also discussed the value of players like Nicolo Barella, playfully suggesting a hypothetical offer of €500 million would be considered, with a portion potentially going to the player himself. He emphasized the importance of a strong dressing room dynamic, praising the leadership of Barella and Lautaro Martinez in maintaining club values. He explained the subjective nature of player valuations, influenced by factors like age, contract length, and market demand, noting the advantage of having multiple suitors during negotiations.
He also highlighted the financial benefits of selling to English clubs or, more recently, Saudi Arabian clubs. Ausilio lamented the lack of significant domestic transfers between top Serie A clubs like Inter, Juventus, and Milan, citing a reliance on opportunistic signings of players nearing the end of their contracts. Finally, Ausilio reflected on past transfer dealings, including the signing of Mario Balotelli from Lumezzane and the circumstances surrounding the departures of Kovacic and Coutinho, acknowledging both successes and missed opportunities.
