Ausilio: ‘Ranocchia stays, no Skriniar offers’

Inter director Piero Ausilio insists Andrea Ranocchia will not go to Genoa, while they ‘have not received any particularly impressive offers’ for Milan Skriniar.

The Nerazzurri visit Benevento at 17.00 UK time (16.00 GMT), click here for the line-ups and LIVEBLOG.

Inter director Piero Ausilio insists Andrea Ranocchia will not go to Genoa, while they ‘have not received any particularly impressive offers’ for Milan Skriniar.

The Nerazzurri visit Benevento at 17.00 UK time (16.00 GMT), click here for the line-ups and LIVEBLOG.

“We tried to learn from last season, when we had a few too many injuries in midfield, so preferred to go overboard with our options this time around,” the director told Sky Sport Italia.

Radja Nainggolan is not in the squad, officially due to injury, but he is in talks for a return to Cagliari after last season’s loan.

“There have not been steps forward. We know that Cagliari make it clear, directly and indirectly, at every opportunity that they want to sign him. We’ll evaluate the situation with him over the next few days and will decide what to do in order to keep everyone happy.”

Ranocchia has been heavily linked with a move to Genoa, but Ausilio made a firm statement of intent.

“Andrea is staying here. We had some discussions with Genoa, but then evaluated along with the coach that Andrea can still be of use both on the pitch and as a figure in the locker room. He has this real sense of belonging to Inter and embraces the values of the club, so he is someone we want to keep around.”

If Ranocchia stays, does that make it more likely that Tottenham and Fulham target Skriniar will leave?

“The transfer market runs for a few more days. We’ve brought in those we want and in fact have a few in excess. I said the other day there has been contact for Skriniar, we did not receive any particularly impressive offers and he is not on the market.”

Inter are arguably the Scudetto favourites ahead of Juventus going into the 2020-21 season, although it’s not something Ausilio agrees with.

“A team that has won nine titles in a row cannot help but start as favourites. We are here to improve, be even stronger than last season and consolidate our status. We know our strengths and where we need to improve, as we made a few mistakes last term, left in an emergency situation in midfield for too long.

“This time, we have provided the coach with a more complete group of players.”