AC Milan are having the transfer window Inter that should be having

After truly embarrassing 2016/17 season, Inter Milan fans rightfully expect big things from the club during this transfer window. While it’s only July 15th, and the transfer window is still open for more than a month, Inter’s lack of Mercato activity to this point is a valid concern.

Entering the offseason, Inter had some very noticeable holes to fill. With the exception of perhaps Miranda, Inter’s entire back line could use a reset; the midfield seems rather thin and young; and the club lacks a viable option in attack if (God forbid) Mauro Icardi misses time due to an injury.

While Inter have not been completely dormant—the club have added Milan Skriniar, a backup keeper, Borja Valero, and a whole host of youth-side players during this window—they seem to be moving a glacial pace. We can optimistically speculate that Inter are waiting to sign the right players, rather than the available ones, but can we really be sure that’s the case?

Meanwhile, Inter have watched one of their biggest rivals tear through the transfer window with a ruthless efficiency. Entering offseason, AC Milan had a very similar set of problem areas to address this summer. While Inter can be noted for their relative inactivity, the Rossoneri can be categorized for anything but.

Let’s just take a look at the players AC Milan have acquired so far during this transfer window:

Franck Kessié (CM), Ricardo Rodríguez (LB), Matero Musacchio (CB), Andre Silva (ST), Hakan Calhanoglu (CAM), Andrea Conti (RB), Leonardo Bonucci (CB), and Milan also expect to add Lucas Biglia (CM) to that list in the coming days.

From left-to-right, Rodríguez, Bonucci, Musacchio, and Conti represent and entirely new backline at manager Vincenzo Montella’s disposal (although I’m willing to bet that Alessio Romagnoli keeps his spot over Musacchio). This overhaul includes a truly world-class center back in Bonucci, who you have to admit is frankly one of the very best players at his position in the modern game.

Kessié, Biglia, and Calhanoglu, coupled with the existing Giancomo Bonaventura, demonstrate a revamped midfield for Milan. Not to mention, Andre Silva is a promising young striker who has the potential to develop into a star, and would be a nice backup option for almost any of the top clubs in the league.

While we can debate the quality of Milan’s other signings on a different day, that’s not the point.

You have to give Milan credit. They identified their weaknesses, targeted the players they wanted to bring in to address those concerns, and acquired them with enough time to ensure the newcomers are fully-integrated before the start of the season.

Now, we don’t know what Inter have planned for the rest of the transfer window, and it would be unfair to judge the balance of power in Serie A until we do. But, there’s no question that the Nerazzurri are playing catch up to their rivals at the moment—especially at the back. Bonucci and Rodríguez alone make Milan’s options in defense significantly better than Inter’s—and it’s not even close.

New signings will likely come, but it’s important to note that we’re only five weeks away from the start of the season. Inter should’ve approached this window with the urgency that Milan have shown.

Ever since they announced Luciano Spalletti, the club have been using the hashtag: #InterIsComing. Right now, it seems more like #InterIsSleeping. They need to wake up and get active in this year’s Mercato soon, because AC Milan are having the transfer window that Inter should be having.