Reigning Serie A champions Inter have decided to withdraw from the race to sign outgoing Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Leandro Paredes. Despite keeping close tabs on the Argentina international for some time, the Nerazzurri are no longer keen to fight other Italian clubs for his signature.
According to Alfredo Pedulla via FCInter1908, Inter have their eyes laid on Paredes, but PSG’s €18m valuation of their fringe midfielder has been deemed excessive by the Italian outfit. The ex-Roma man is increasingly heading towards the Parc des Princes exit following an underwhelming season under Maurizio Pochettino.
Paredes was nothing short of impressive during his brief spell at the Stadio Olimpico. His ability to pick up his attacking teammates from deep in the midfield, coupled with his combative spirit and tackling skills, earned him a mega-money move to Zenit St Petersburg in 2017 before switching to Paris in 2019.
Although Paredes’ career in Ligue 1 got off to a flying start, a series of injury setbacks and Paris’ continuous investments to strengthen the club’s roster have seen the Argentine’s influence in the French capital dwindle this season. With his current contract running out at the end of next season, the newly-crown Ligue 1 champions are ready to offload their outcast this summer.
Inter have emerged as one of the potential suitors for the midfield metronome, alongside other Serie A heavyweights, including Milan and Juventus. However, the club’s financial turmoil has forced head coach Simone Inzaghi to drop his interest in Paredes and seek alternatives elsewhere.
Inter will lose Arturo Vidal and Matias Vecino in the summer. Both players are out of contract at the end of the season, with the Nerazzurri reluctant to offer them new deals.
After deciding to pull out of the race for Paredes, Inter may have opened the way for their direct Scudetto rivals to sign the wantaway Paris star.