/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/50578775/596112276.0.jpg)
Every Inter fan (and anybody else who happens to be in the general vicinity when an Inter match is ongoing) knows that the club needs reinforcements at the back. Well more specifically, reinforcements at centerback and mere competence in fullbacks. With time running out before the close of the transfer window Inter decided to make an approach to Juventus for Stephan Lichtsteiner. Juve agreed to this meeting today but tried to use it to start negotiations for Marcelo Brozović. When they were told (once again) that Inter would not be selling Brozovic to the Bianconeri, the club immediately rejected any and all proposals for Lichtsteiner from Inter and promptly walked away. In other words they were being 50 shades of petty.
Some Juve fans (or trolls) might argue that since Inter refused to negotiate for Brozovic, Juventus was justified in not negotiating for Lichtsteiner. That argument only can be stretched so far though. Juventus wanted a 23 year old worth around €25m who was displaced from the starting lineup by Ever freakin’ Banega. Inter wanted 32 year old worth €3m who’s contract expires at the end of the season and was displaced from the starting lineup by a 33 year old Dani Alves. I think there might be a bit of a value differential between the two players here...
(Disclaimer: I’m not even that sure if I would really want him, I just find this whole situation very funny and childlike.)
Regardless it seems that Inter will either have to scramble to find another defender in the last moments of the transfer market or just make do with the current squad until the January window (unless they decide to sign Martin Cáceres on a free contract). It’s a little unclear right now what will happen with Brozovic, there have been conflicting reports recently. Ausilio hinted that Brozovic could stay at Inter; while some sites have said that a deal with Chelsea is basically completed, others have said that Inter rejected a deal involving Cesc Fàbregas and negotiations are ongoing, and others have said that it is pretty much too late for a deal to be sorted out before the end of the market. We’ll just have to wait and see.