If Inter sell Romelu Lukaku to Chelsea, they are expected to go for Denzel Dumfries, Duvan Zapata and Gianluca Scamacca, but there are cheaper alternatives too.
According to FCInter1908.it, directors Beppe Marotta and Piero Ausilio had a conference call with Inter President Steven Zhang today.
They warned the Suning representative that if Lukaku does leave for circa €130m, then the fans will revolt if they don’t bring in at least three new signings.
The directors are also potentially threatening to resign at the end of the transfer window if the promises of investment are not kept.
Their primary targets will be two forwards and one wing-back to make up for Lukaku and Achraf Hakimi’s sales.
Dumfries is a right-wing-back who has long been linked with Inter, although his PSV Eindhoven contract runs to June 2023.
He is the first choice to come in on the right to replace PSG-bound Hakimi.
As for the forwards, this is where the situation becomes more complicated, as it remains to be seen how much cash Inter will have left.
The idea also put forward by Sky Sport Italia is to get Italy Under-21 international striker Scamacca on loan from Sassuolo in exchange for Lucien Agoume on loan to the Mapei Stadium.
As for the real replacement for Lukaku, the pick is Duvan Zapata, but Atalanta want over €50m for the 30-year-old Colombia international.
Fiorentina’s 21-year-old Dusan Vlahovic is even more expensive, at least €60m, as Sportitalia report an initial €50m approach was turned down.
If they have to aim lower, then Edin Dzeko is not first choice at Roma and the Giallorossi would gladly release the biggest wage earner in the squad for circa €10-12m, especially after they signed Eldor Shomurodov from Genoa.
Joaquin Correa of Lazio was requested by coach Simone Inzaghi, but the asking price is €40m and Inter have no intention of reaching that sum, especially if they are losing a very different type of centre-forward in Lukaku.
Aston Villa, Everton and Tottenham Hotspur are also interested in Tucu Correa.
FCIN1908/ Marotta, confronto con Zhang: l’ad nerazzurro ha parlato in maniera molto diretta dei rischi dell’attuale situazione e incassato l’ok a 3 rinforzi. Confermato gradimento per Zapata. Rispunta Dzeko, Vlahovic quasi impossibile
— Daniele Mari (@marifcinter) August 6, 2021