Former midfielder Nicola Berti was not impressed with Inter’s interest in Lazio outcast Francesco Acerbi, wanting the club to pursue other options.
The Nerazzurri are looking to add a new defender to Simone Inzaghi’s squad before the summer transfer window draws to a close, and one idea is the 35-year-old Acerbi, who handed in a transfer request in Rome earlier this summer. The Italian centre back would be a low-cost option and is a player Inzaghi knows well, but the fans have been vocal in their disapproval of the idea.
Speaking to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Berti agreed with the fans’ assessment of Acerbi, preferring Inter to focus on other targets like Borussia Dortmund’s Manuel Akanji.
“With all due respect to Acerbi, I vote for Akanji and also Chalobah. I’d bet on the Swiss, who is strong but above all much younger. That’s why Chalobah would also be good.
“Akanji always plays at Borussia Dortmund and the national team, he is solid and has international experience.
“Let’s not forget that Switzerland denied us the World Cup. Maybe he is not worth the starting three, but he is just behind them.”
The former Nerazzurri midfielder was glad the club didn’t sell Milan Skriniar this summer.
“Milan is not to be sold, the only thing wrong is his name. Beyond his strengths, the trio that has been protecting Handanovic for three years are fundamental.
“If Inter want to remain a fighter, they cannot do without Skriniar, De Vrij and Bastoni.”
Finally, Berti suggested that he wasn’t upset about Inter’s failure to sign Gleison Bremer, allowing Juventus’ to pick up the Brazilian centre back.
“Nope. If Skriniar stays, for me Bremer can go pick mushrooms in the Turin area!”