Inter midfielder Davide Frattesi is poised to join Nottingham Forest in a deal worth up to 25 million euros plus bonuses, according to reports in Italy. The move is seen as a way for Inter to finance a bid for Liverpool’s Curtis Jones.
Frattesi has struggled to establish himself as a regular starter for Inter since his arrival, often finding himself used as a substitute. The appointment of Cristian Chivu as coach did not improve his situation, with the player barely surpassing 1,000 minutes played last season. Inter now view his departure as a means to both raise funds and create space in the squad.
Nottingham Forest previously expressed interest in Frattesi during the winter transfer window and have renewed their pursuit. Inter value the former Sassuolo player at 30 million euros, the exact amount needed to meet Liverpool’s asking price for Jones. The clubs are currently negotiating a fee, with Liverpool seeking around 30 million euros plus a percentage of any future sale.
Several Italian clubs, including Roma, Juventus, and Napoli, have also expressed interest in Frattesi, but a move to the Premier League appears most likely. Inter’s sporting directors, Marotta, Ausilio, and Baccin, are also reportedly resisting approaches from Real Madrid for defender Alessandro Bastoni, with the player himself reaffirming his commitment to the club. Elsewhere, the non-renewal of Mandas’ loan at Bournemouth has brought goalkeeper Provedel closer to a move to Inter.
Inter officially redeemed young player Marello from Udinese yesterday, providing further evidence of their active transfer window. The potential arrival of Jones is seen as a better tactical fit for Chivu’s system than Frattesi’s more direct style of play. The transfer of Frattesi could provide a significant boost to Inter’s transfer budget as they look to strengthen their squad for the upcoming season.
