Replacing Andre Onana won’t be a walk in the park by any stretch of the imagination, but Inter must be well aware of that by now. As per Ukrainian sources, via FCInterNews, Shakhtar Donetsk have decided to play hardball on the Italians’ pursuit of their goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin.
The 21-year-old has made the tippy top of Beppe Marotta’s recruitment list after Inter realized they couldn’t keep hold of Onana any longer. The Cameroonian is on the verge of penning a multi-year contract at Manchester United that should pour approximately €55 million into the club’s coffers.
However, Inter intended to use only a minor portion of those funds on his replacement. With Trubin’s deal in Donetsk expiring next summer, the Nerazzurri had hoped a €10m offer would suffice to make Shakhtar give a seal of approval. Unfortunately for Simone Inzaghi, it’s more complicated than that.
Despite Trubin’s reluctance to pledge his long-term future to his boyhood club, Shakhtar won’t listen to proposals under €35m. The Ukrainians’ hefty request may be unreasonable, but it would still deter Inter from continuing their quest to sign the talented shot-stopper.
It’s believed Inter had even prepared a five-year contract for Trubin before discovering his ridiculous price tag. With that hypothesis crossed unless Shakhtar’s stance wavers, the Nerazzuri could channel their effort on acquiring Yan Sommer’s signature from Bayern Munich.
Unlike Trubin, the 34-year-old keeper would command a significantly more affordable transfer fee. Moreover, Manuel Neuer’s well-progressing recovery could solidify Inter’s chances of getting a go-ahead from the record-time Bundesliga champions.
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