The nights are getting longer, Christmas is drawing closer, and the January transfer window is fast approaching.
Teams right across Europe will already be looking towards that mid-season pit stop as the domestic leagues get back underway. It’s been a belated start and even with no fans present, it’s a pleasure to see football being played.
Italy’s Serie A has started with a bang and we’ve seen Milan make a near perfect start, whilst their city rivals Inter have taken 10 points from their opening 5 fixtures. Antonio Conte will be gunning for January and the chance to raid the Premier League once again, and do all he can to keep the pace on Stefano Pioli’s side.
Here we take a look at five Premier League outcasts whom Antonio Conte should look to sign for Inter in January:
Mesut Ozil
The German, on his day, is unplayable. Nobody has ever doubted his abilities but it’s his work ethic that has seen his Arsenal stint turn sour. Mikel Arteta could well be the Arsenal manager to offload the big-earning Ozil and January could be the perfect time.
He’s left Ozil out of his early Premier League and Champions League squads and the fans seem to be all but finished with him. Though for Inter, this could well prove to be another Christian Eriksen type signing – perhaps a little too late.
Olivier Giroud
Conte has long been a pursuer of Chelsea’s Giroud and finally we could be about to see the classy Frenchman move to the classiest city of them all. With Timo Werner’s arrival, the final nail has seemingly been put in the coffin of Giroud’s Chelsea career and now his exit looks imminent.
Still a French international and still a top-quality striker, Giroud would provide perfect cover for Romelu Lukaku, but would he be willing to play that covering role once more? An interesting move if it materializes, and the rumours don’t seem to be going away.
James Milner
With the way that Conte’s Inter play, and the versatility that a player like Milner offers, would this not be a typical Conte signing?
At 34-years-old he’s still as fit as some of the top Premier League players and with Liverpool building on their already superb squad, Milner’s game time is gradually decreasing. A potential loan move or even a permanent one could be realistic, and Milner might see Milan as the perfect retirement home.
Dele Alli
Inter were one of the teams linked with the England international and Premier League star over summer. His Spurs career is stalling and PSG were closely touted with giving him a fresh opportunity in Europe, but would a move to Inter be more up Alli’s street?
A move looks certain nonetheless. Be it in January or next summer, Alli’s game time and subsequent stint at Spurs looks to be drawing to an uninspiring close and with plenty of English and Spurs links already at Inter, it might make sense for the 24-year-old to seek progression at the San Siro.
Giovani Lo Celso
Another Spurs man who seems to be falling further down in Jose Mourinho’s plans is Argentina international Lo Celso.
He had a fairly torrid first season in the Premier League last time around having gone the whole campaign without a goal, and the arrival of Steven Bergwijn has only cut Lo Celso’s chances of becoming a regular starter at Spurs. A dynamic player who could fit Conte’s versatility, he could yet be a keen addition to this Inter side.
