Inter director Piero Ausilio insists Romelu Lukaku must focus on the pitch and not think about a possible return to Chelsea and explains how the Nerazzurri will replace Milan Skriniar.
The Nerazzurri director spoke about Inter’s season and transfer strategies in an interview with Sky Sport Italia on Monday.
“The path has been positive, the Champions League group stage was excellent. We are ready to face a strong team with tradition,” said Ausilio.
“Sometimes it happens that, like this season, there is an extraordinary team like Napoli who have been stronger. However, are in line with expectations. With 47 points, normally, you can still fight for the title. This is a strange season, but we have much to play for in Coppa Italia and the Champions League.”
There has been pressure on Inter coach Simone Inzaghi who sits second in Serie A, but 15 points below leaders Napoli.
“He’s serene, we are together every day. Expectations are high. We must always play to win, but only one win in the end,” said Ausilio.
“We’ve been very consistent over the last few years, finishing second and first, playing a Europa League Final, but sometimes you win and sometimes you lose. We are always up there and it’s important.”
Inter will lose Srkiniar at the end of the season as the Slovakia international hasn’t signed a contract extension with the Serie A giants.
The ex-Samp defender will join PSG as a free agent in the summer.
“Skriniar has taken this decision, but we have also signed many players as free agents,” noted Ausilio.
“Losing him was not good because we wanted to continue with him. I am sure he has made his assessment, but I believe there are opportunities in the market with young players who will make us competitive. Inter will always play to win.
“Sustainability is crucial. Like other clubs, we must respect FFP rules,” continued the Nerazzurri director.
“We are aware that these rules prevent us from doing what we’d want to do, which is buy the best players in the world. There are many things we must take into account, like many other clubs.
“We can’t build teams as they do in England where even teams that are smaller, on paper, spent almost €100m in January. We can’t do that, which doesn’t mean we can’t build a competitive team. We have ideas, we have a great scouting department and a great youth sector, which offers resources such as Federico Dimarco.
“We can improve in all aspects, but it’s not necessary to spend €200m to build a strong team. We can’t afford this in Italy, the same is true of other clubs; we’ll try to remain competitive with our ideas and resources.”
Several players, including Hakan Calhanoglu and Alessandro Bastoni, see their contracts expire in June 2024 while Romelu Lukaku is on loan from Chelsea until the end of the season, but his future at the Stadio Meazza remains in doubt.
The Belgian forward has been struggling with injuries in the first part of the campaign and has scored three goals in 13 appearances so far this season.
“He [Lukaku] must do what he has been doing for a few months,” claimed Ausilio.
“He’s worked hard after his injury. He is entirely focused on training and performance. I can see improvements and he’s really close to his best form. He has made an important contribution in the last few games. Everyone, not only him, should only think about what happens on the pitch.
“We’ve already spoken with a few players about the future. Negotiations are ongoing with three or four of these players, and I am convinced there could be positive updates soon for some of them.”