Despite signing Di Maria and Paul Pogba, Juventus are not done with the summer market. Long-linked target Filip Kostic is closing in on a permanent deal.
FRANKFURT AM MAIN, GERMANY - MAY 09: Filip Kostic of Eintracht Frankfurt reacts during the Bundesliga match between Eintracht Frankfurt and 1. FSV Mainz 05 at Deutsche Bank Park on May 09, 2021 in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. Sporting stadiums around Germany remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Friedemann Vogel - Pool/Getty Images)

Inter Edging Closer Towards Signing Bundesliga Star Winger

Inter and Eintracht Frankfurt winger Filip Kostic are reportedly on the cusp of striking an agreement over next summer’s Bosman deal. According to Tuttosport (via SempreInter), the Nerazzurri have identified the Serbia international as a long-term replacement for Ivan Perisic.

Perisic has less than a year remaining on his current contract at the Giuseppe Meazza and is expected to part ways with Inter at the end of the season. Despite playing a prominent role under new manager Simone Inzaghi, the Croatian star has yet to pledge his future to the reigning Italian champions. Everton and several foreign sides are interested in capturing his signature.

With Perisic’s future in Serie A hanging by a thread, Inter are already working on replacing the 2018 World Cup runner-up. Kostic, who has been one of Frankfurt’s standout performers over the past few years, has emerged as the likeliest option to fill the void.

Like his Inter counterpart, Kostic will become a free agent come the summer of 2022 after refusing to commit to a new deal at the Deutsche Bank Park. The 29-year-old has been an indispensable first-team player at Frankfurt since arriving from Hamburger SV in summer 2018.

Though he joined the German outfit as a natural winge, Kostic has effortlessly adjusted to a new role, turning into one of the most prolific wing-backs in Europe. Given Inzaghi’s preferred 3-5-2 formation, the Serb looks like a perfect fit. 

With financial problems continuing to cause Beppe Marotta a sizeable headache, the Inter CEO will be turning his attention towards free agents in the upcoming transfer windows. Therefore, Kostic ticks all the boxes for a type of player the Nerazzurri are looking to recruit.