Inter chief Piero Ausilio has left Timo Werner to Liverpool, admits Edinson Cavani ‘isn’t a priority’ and confirms Dries Mertens preferred to stay at Napoli.
Werner announced earlier this month he was targeting a move abroad and it was reported just two days ago that Liverpool had pulled out of the race to sign the RB Leipzig striker.
Inter chief Piero Ausilio has left Timo Werner to Liverpool, admits Edinson Cavani ‘isn’t a priority’ and confirms Dries Mertens preferred to stay at Napoli.
Werner announced earlier this month he was targeting a move abroad and it was reported just two days ago that Liverpool had pulled out of the race to sign the RB Leipzig striker.
However, Auslio announced in his interview with Sky Sport Italia that ‘he won’t be here next season’, with the broadcaster going on to report that the Reds have the best chance of landing him.
“I’ll be honest: I’ve always liked him, we’ve been tracking him for some time,” he told Gianluca Di Marzio.
“However, he won’t come to Inter for various reasons: there have never been any negotiations because I know what the player wants.
“He has a release clause, but he won’t be here next season.”
The sporting director was then asked about Cavani and Mertens, two more targets to strength the Nerazzurri’s attack next season.
“Inter have shown that they’re always attentive to free agents. We’ve strengthened ourselves with them.
“I’m thinking of De Vrij, Godin and Asamoah. We must always look at opportunities they present and Cavani’s one of them.
“But for me to tell you that we’ve thought about him seriously, I’d be lying for one simple reason: we think of our attack as being composed of Lukaku and Lautaro, and then we’re weighing up Sanchez.
“For many, he’s out of our project, but he can still be very useful. Then there’s Esposito.
“With him we’ll assess whether it’s appropriate to let him gain experience elsewhere; we’ll think about the fourth striker, but right now Cavani’s profile isn’t a priority to improve a department that’s already strong.
“I have an excellent relationship with [Napoli sporting director Cristiano] Giuntoli and I was in touch with him very recently.
“I don’t know if [Mertens] has signed his renewal with Napoli, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he stays there: I don’t understand all this media frenzy.”