Shortly before the match against Torino, Inter CEO Beppe Marotta answered Sky Sport’s questions on the club’s intentions regarding the transfer market. Indeed, Inter’s winter window might come alive in its dying stages. There has been talk of Perisic wanting to leave and join a Premier League side, as well as of the nerazzurri looking for an immediate substitute. The media was hungry for answers and Marotta certainly provided them, speaking with a frankness unusual for football directors and managers.

Perisic on his way out?

Regarding Perisic’s situation, Marotta commented: “Perisic has expressed the desire to leave, we must try to satisfy him while respecting the financial value he holds for the club. We are waiting for concrete offers, which aren’t present at the moment. If he were to remain, it will be our job to give him the right motivation.”

The CEO, then, confirmed in no uncertain terms that the Croatian winger has handed in a transfer request, and that the club doesn’t wish to keep him agains his will. Yet, he will only be sold if a concrete offer arrives, which means that a loan with an option to buy, such as the one rumoured to have been offered by Arsenal,  won’t be accepted. Only the certainty of payment would allow Inter to buy a substitute and therefore let go of Perisic. If he does stay, Marotta and the fans can only hope that he will be sufficiently motivated for the next six months.

Carrasco on his way in?

Marotta also answered to the rumours that linked Inter to Yannick Carrasco, winger of Chinese club Dalian Yifang. He said: “There have been contacts, or some probing rather. Ausilio is doing a great job.” Selling Perisic and replacing him with Carrasco still seems like a very complex operation to pull off in the last few days of the transfer window, but Marotta’s words suggest there might be a chance.