Inter and Atletico Madrid are evaluating whether Sime Vrsaljko requires surgery, so he could cut his loan spell at San Siro short.
The full-back arrived on loan at a cost of €6.5m with €17.5m option to buy at the end of the season, but has struggled with a recurring left knee problem.
He made only 13 competitive appearances for the club and may well have already played his last Inter game.
Inter and Atletico Madrid are evaluating whether Sime Vrsaljko requires surgery, so he could cut his loan spell at San Siro short.
The full-back arrived on loan at a cost of €6.5m with €17.5m option to buy at the end of the season, but has struggled with a recurring left knee problem.
He made only 13 competitive appearances for the club and may well have already played his last Inter game.
According to Spanish paper As, Vrsaljko is considering an operation to resolve the knee problem once and for all, but it would effectively end his campaign.
The Corriere dello Sport even suggests an op could keep him out for six to eight months if the cruciate ligament is also damaged.
With that in mind, Atletico Madrid would take the Croatia international back six months early, even though Inter could still have to pay his salary and €6.5m loan fee.
Inter Coach Luciano Spalletti effectively confirmed this was an option when speaking in Saturday’s Press conference.
“Right now, we are evaluating together with him, the club and Atletico what is best for the player to do.”
The Nerazzurri have already signed Vrsaljko’s replacement, bringing in Cedric Soares on loan with option to buy from Southampton.