Nahitan Nandez is among the list of options to substitute Achraf Hakimi. While Inter will not activate the €36M release clause, they could arrange a multi-player package to convince Cagliari. The Uruguayan international has drawn interest primarily from Leeds United. There are many moving parts but the deal is possible, La Gazzetta dello Sport reports.
The two Italian clubs have a very tight relationship and the Sardinians are trying to get Radja Nainggolan back. His third return would have to happen on a permanent basis. The two midfielders have significantly different price tags. Therefore, Inter would need to insert one of their young players on top of cash.
The prime candidate is Lucien Agoumé, who is coming off a loan spell at Spezia. The Rossoblù have also laid their eyes on Andrea Pinamonti, Calciomercato.com reports. Nandez’s €30M evaluation remains sizeable for the balance sheets of Inter. However, the two clubs could find a favorable formula to make the transfer more financially sustainable. The Nerazzurri previously acquired Nicolò Barella from Cagliari on a pricey initial loan with option to buy.
Cagliari coach Leonardo Semplici hinted at the departure of the versatile midfielder: “He is one of our most coveted players so we might have to make a sacrifice.” President Tommaso Giulini denied receiving official offers: “Not selling one of our best pieces penalizes us financially but helps us technically. We are ready to keep him and compensate in other ways if we do not receive proper offers. We want to monetize Nandez and others’ departures and not make trades but we must consider everything and be creative. If that were the case, we would need somebody useful in return, a potential starter.”