Simone Inzaghi met with the Inter management yesterday to discuss the summer transfer market plans, where the main targets were identified as Romelu Lukaku, Kalidou Koulibaly and Davide Frattesi.
La Gazzetta dello Sport details how the Nerazzurri coach sat down with president Steven Zhang, CEO Beppe Marotta, director Piero Ausilio and his right hand man Dario Baccin. Following the team’s recent Champions League final defeat, the club are ready to start planning for next season as they look to fight for the Scudetto again.
Inzaghi has made it clear that he wants Inter to do everything possible to keep Lukaku, as well as Lazio loanee Francesco Acerbi and expiring defender Stefan de Vrij. The club’s management agree with this and will soon sit down with Chelsea to discuss a new deal for the Belgian striker.
An intermediary of Lukaku’s met with executives from Saudi side Al Hilal at the George V hotel in Paris recently, where a multi-year contract worth €25m net per season was proposed to the Belgian forward. This was quickly turned down, with the Chelsea loanee prioritising a new deal with the Nerazzurri.
Another Chelsea player identified as a top target by Inzaghi and Inter is Koulibaly, who struggled to show his best during his first season in West London. The Lombardy side believe he’d be the ideal replacement for the outgoing Milan Skriniar, but is salary could prove problematic.
The Senegalese centre back earns just under €10m net per season, so Chelsea would need to contribute and let him leave on loan. Another idea is that Koulibaly could be included in a large deal involving goalkeeper Andre Onana, who is one of the Blues’ top targets. Lukaku could also be involved in these talks.
Inter are also working to pick up Sassuolo midfielder Davide Frattesi, whose made it clear that he’d like to stay in Italy. Talks are already ongoing between the two clubs and the Nerazzurri offered youngsters Giovanni Fabbian and Samuele Mulattieri as part of the overall deal, hoping to lower the costs.
Robin Gosens could be sold this summer, with two Bundesliga clubs including VfL Wolfsburg interested in picking up the German wing back. Should he depart, Monza’s Carlos Augusto would be the ideal replacement.