With Gleison Bremer slipping away and Milan Skriniar possibly staying, Inter will not be able to spend much for a new center-back. They need to replace Andrea Ranocchia, who was at the bottom of the pecking order but still occasionally got minutes.
As per TuttoSport (via Virgilio), the addition will likely come later in the window when bargains generally arise. The Nerazzurri like Manuel Akanji a lot, but his price tag is vastly superior to their budget. Still, they are plotting to pursue him as a free agent acquisition in 2023 if he does not sign an extension with Borussia Dortmund beforehand.
Inter have now opened talks to sign Nikola Milenković on permanent deal from Fiorentina. He’s one of the main targets after missing out on Bremer. ??? #transfers
Milenković’s out of contract in June 2023, Inter are now exploring this possibility. pic.twitter.com/gzLwnn2WjG
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 20, 2022
The exception could be Nikola Milenkovic, whose signing could be financed by the sale of Andrea Pinamonti. They have inquired about Merih Demiral, but he is an option only if Milan Skriniar leaves. Inter have better chances of landing a different Atalanta center-back, Berat Djimsiti, who is less expensive. They have not seriously considered signing Francesco Acerbi yet, even though he is clearly available.
The Nerazzurri have been offered Dan-Axel Zagadou, who is without a team. However, they are not particularly keen on him. Abroad, they are considering Atletico Madrid’s Stefan Savic and PSG’s Thilo Kehrer. They would becomr viable targets if Atletico Madrid and PSG let them go for €5/6M.
Our Take on Inter Looking for Center-Back
It is a tricky spot to be in, but Skriniar staying would make things a lot easier. They reasonably need somebody that can back up Stefan De Vrij as the linchpin of the rearguard. Acerbi is not a particularly exciting name, but there are worse candidates, and Lazio are desperate to offload him.