With the 2023 summer transfer window opening on July 1 for Serie A clubs, we take a look at the top five Inter transfers targets to help strengthen their squad for the 2023/24 campaign. Rumours are hotting up across European football as we are set for a potential record-breaking window with billions of euros to be spent.
Inter had a strong European campaign last time out, reaching the final of the Champions League before suffering a 1-0 defeat against Manchester City. Their domestic season was underwhelming and 12 defeats in Serie A signals that the Nerazzurri need to bolster the ranks, despite finishing in third place.
Star defender Milan Skriniar is on his way to Paris Saint-Germain in July and rumours have been hotting up about the departures of midfielder Marcelo Brozovic, goalkeeper Andre Onana and wing-back Robin Gosens. As a result, Inter have plenty of work to do in order to prepare for another Serie A season. Below we take you through the top five 2023 Inter transfer targets this summer.
Top Five 2023 Inter Transfer Targets
5. Carlos Augusto (Monza)
With Gosens in talks with Union Berlin and personal terms reportedly agreed, Inter will need a new backup wing-back over on the left to support Federico Dimarco. Brazil international Carlos Augusto had a fine campaign under Raffaele Palladino at Monza last term, scoring six goals and providing five assists in his maiden Serie A season, and Inter have targeted Augusto as one of their transfer targets this summer.
There is yet to be reports of any concrete moves from Inter for Augusto, and clubs such as Nottingham Forest are also interested, but it appears as though the Nerazzurri could beat the rest of the competition to his signing if Gosens does indeed leave for Germany.
4. Mateo Retegui (Tigre, on loan Boca Juniors)
With the confirmed departure of Edin Dzeko to Fenerbahce upon the expiry of his contract at the end of the month and the future being unclear about Romelu Lukaku, who only joined on loan from Chelsea last season, the Nerazzurri will need to bolster their centre-forward options. Lukaku could still return to Inter and the Belgian seems to want to stay in Europe instead of heading to the Middle East.
Mateo Retegui hit the headlines when he was called up by Roberto Mancini to the Italy national team for his debut in March. The Argentine-born forward has been linked with a host of top clubs across Europe since his Italian debut and it makes sense for Inter to go out and get the 24-year-old. Reports in Italy have suggested that Inter are in pole position to acquire him for around €18 million and that Retegui himself would prefer a move to the Milan-based club.
3. Giorgi Mamardashvili (Valencia)
Yet another Serie A star has been heavily linked with a move to the Premier League in Inter ‘keeper Onana and Simone Inzaghi will need to have options in place for a replacement. Sampdoria’s Emil Audero has been rumoured but Inter have also targeted Valencia’s Giorgi Mamardashvili.
The Georgian international has made a name for himself in between the sticks at the Spanish club but has also impressed for his nation, who are on the up in international football. If Onana was to leave Inter to join either the likes of Manchester United or Chelsea, Inter could turn to Mamardashvili, particularly since fellow target Guglielmo Vicario is on his way to Tottenham Hotspur.
Cameroon international Onana has impressed since his move to the San Siro and played in a key role in helping the Nerazzurri reach the Champions League final this summer. That has meant interest in his services has increased and a reunion with former boss Erik ten Hag is a big possibility.
2. Cesar Azpilicueta (Chelsea)
It’s certainly not fresh news that Inter need to find a new man to sit at the right-hand side of their three-man defense. Skriniar has been heading to Paris now since the beginning of the year and Inter have monitored a number of options that they could pick up in his place, including Real Madrid’s Nacho Fernandez.
However, with Nacho recently signing a new deal at the Santiago Bernabeu, the Nerazzurri have turned their attentions to fellow Spaniard Cesar Azpilicueta. The 33-year-old veteran has plenty of experience in his legs and could help provide strong defensive skills at the back, as well as good leadership. Azpilicueta reportedly wants a new challenge and Inter are keen on the deal since he could also provide cover on the right of a back three and also at wing-back.
1. Davide Frattesi (Sassuolo)
Sassuolo midfielder Davide Frattesi has been heavily linked with a move away from Emilia-Romagna for some time now and Inter are set to battle it out with the likes of Milan, Roma and Juventus for his signature. The box-to-box midfielder could slot in perfectly in the Nerazzurri midfield three next season, particularly with Brozovic heading towards a move to either Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr or Spanish side Barcelona.
If Brozovic does leave the club this summer, that could see Hakan Calhanoglu deployed in a Regista role, opening up a spot in the line-up on the left-hand side of the midfield for Frattesi. However, Milan are also in line for a move for the 23-year-old, especially due to the imminent departure of Sandro Tonali which could provide a huge cash injection for the Rossoneri.
Inter remain the frontrunners, though, for the time being and acquiring the likes of Frattesi to replace Brozovic could be a good move towards the long-term future of the club. The Croat struggled for fitness for large parts of last season and Inter could cash in on him now to help fund a move for a younger replacement.