Inter Worldwide will be analysing each position during this transfer window. Where can Inter improve? Do we have the financial capacity this winter? Keep reading to find out more:
Part VI: Center Midfield
This is a big mystery for me. Do we need a midfielder? Yes. Do we, really? On paper we have already plenty of good players: Brozovic, Gagliardini, Vecino, Nainggolan, Joao Mario, Borja Valero, 6 for 2 spots. We should be covered, but we are not in some way. At least, we are looking for someone with better quality of these 6. It’s not so easy, and it would also mean trying to sell some of our players. So before investing in a big name just for the heck of it, we should really consider every aspect of the deal. These are a couple of options with pro and cons:
Option 1:
Nicolo Barella
Age: 21
Value: €40M
Ckub: Cagliari
Agent: Alessandro Beltrami (Nainggolan)
In my opinion, he’s absolutely the best (next) thing in the Italian midfield, probably in Serie A. Even if just 21, he acts and behaves like a veteran, recovering the ball, touching and passing and running non-stop, if you watch a Cagliari game you may think there are 6 different Barella’s, he can be everywhere!
And it’s not just me, scouts from Arsenal, Liverpool, Roma, Juve, Milan, Man Utd, Chelsea, even LeBron James!, everybody loves this youngster, comparing him to Pirlo, Nainggolan and Gerrard.
Cagliari asks a lot for him, even though not too much keeping in mind is age and versatility. Apparently we have some good relationship with their club president and the preference from the player himself, maybe also pushed by his agent. It is possible that a couple of young prospect as Emmers and Pinamonti could be insert in the deal to reduce the final price.
Possible move in January: 5% Possible move in the summer: 80%
Option 2:
Mousa Dembele
Age: 31
Value: €12M
Club: Tottenham
Agent: Agroup
After last summer we already know pretty much everything about this Belgian player, but a couple of things changed in the past months. First of all, he had a pretty bad injury in his right ankle that is keeping him out of the pitch until next month. Second, his contract will expire at the end of this season, giving him the opportunity to sign with any other team on a free transfer. This is actually the only reason why Dembele is on my midfielder’s list. Being 31 and fairly keen to injury doesn’t make him appealing enough to offer him a €8m/Year contact, plus €2m of potential bonuses for his entourage.
While we wait to see his physical condition returning from the injury, Juve, Milan and Roma are thinking about signing him, but just in case he lowers his demands drastically. Otherwise there is always the possibility of a renew with Tottenham or a Chinese club, even though that could probably mean the end of his football career at a top European club.
Option 3: Florian Neuhaus
Age: 21
Value: €18M
Club: Borussia Monchengladbach
Agent: CN Sports
Inter scouts were present last month in the Bundesliga match between Borussia and Nurnberg, specifically to take a closer look at this youngster who prefers to play on the left but can comfortably play in any position across the midfield line. Going for a new green wave, Neuhaus joins Barella e Tonali in what can become a super talented Inter in the near future.
So far the German player (pillar of the Under 21 national team) scored 2 goals and made 9 assists in the 19 games played between league and cup. Definitely a great prospect!
Option 4:
Sergej Milinkovic-Savic
Age: 23
Value: €40M
Club: Lazio
Agent: Mateja Kezman
SMS was over-valued exponentially last season but Lazio president Lottito won’t be able to justify the 80-90-100 million euro values he threw up in the air this time round.
A dip in form could favour Inter as his price tag has more than halved in half a season and with Lazio’s inconsistent form threatening a potential return to the Champions League, all it would take is a strong finish to the season for Inter to signthe Serbian.
Milan & Juve remain well and truly in the rumour mill along with the odd English giant, but this is a move that could have Marotta’s fingerprints on it sooner than we may think.
Possible move in January: 10% Possible move in the summer: 90%
