Ricardo Rodriguez links to Inter growing

There have been a lot of hypothetical names thrown around for future Inter fullbacks, but one of the highest names on most fans’ wish-lists has been Ricardo Rodriguez. The Swiss fullback is one of the best young fullbacks around, and would boost almost any side, especially an Inter team that has major liabilities in that position. Well according to a number of Italian news outlets, Suning, Piero Ausilio, and Rodriguez himself have heard the prayers of Inter fans and are working together to make a deal happen.

Gianluca Di Marzio and other news sources have stated that Rodriguez would prefer a move to Inter over clubs in the Premier League or Ligue 1, and that Wolfsburg are aware of the player’s desire. The 24 year old has a release clause of €22m and though Suning would be willing to pay it, Financial Fair Play restrictions mean Inter would not be able to pay that sum of money now so a move would likely occur in June.

(Some outlets have stated there are two ways a January move could occur. Wolfsburg could agree to a loan with an obligation to buy, which recalling the Perisic negotiations drama is not very likely to occur. The other possibility involves Ever Banega being sold to China for around €30m and those funds are then used to bring in Rodriguez immediately.)

When I first saw these rumors I didn’t believe it, mainly because it seemed to good to be true. As more and more outlets have added details to the rumors (and none of the parties have denied it) I have started to realize this could actually happen. Rodriguez could easily be the solution to our fullback problems, and I’m excited about the possibility of seeing him wearing black and blue.

The only question (assuming the Banega option is really on the table) is if he’s worth sacrificing Banega to bring him in immediately? I’m torn on this. In our mid-season review we posed a similar question about selling Marcelo Brozovic for a top fullback and I argued yes because (at least in my mind) Joao Mario and Banega can adequately fulfill Brozovic’s deeper creative role in the side. Banega primarily plays the trequartista role and both Mario and Brozovic have had mixed results in that position, though if Stefano Pioli continues to move away from a formation that relies on a trequartista Banega might not be so necessary. Then there’s also the fact that it seems kind of mean to bring somebody in on a free transfer and then sell him 6 months later just because the club can make a profit. But at the end of the day a top fullback could be what the team needs to make that push into the top 3...yup I’m thoroughly undecided.

What do you think? Answer the poll and sound off in the comments!