Valencia rebuff Inter Milan’s request for Joao Cancelo

Inter Milan have their sights set on trying to sign midfielder Joao Cancelo permanently from Spanish side Valencia.

The only problem is, with Financial Fair Play rules in the mix, the Nerazzurri will be hard-pressed to pay the €35 million buy-out to obtain his services permanently.

Inter management reportedly approached Valencia about either discounting the clause or offering to take payment after the May 31 due date. But, according to Gazzetta dello Sport, Valencia officials have rejected either proposal.

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That deals a serious blow to Inter’s chances of signing Cancelo, especially if the team fails to qualify for the Champions League. Currently, Inter sits in fifth-place, one spot out of Champions League qualification.

On the other hand, Valencia has said they will pay the €25 million to buy out Inter Milan castoff Geoffrey Kondogbia – who has had a strong showing since joining Los Che in the winter. The Spanish side will pay the €25 million and pay it on time, according to reports.

Additionally, Valencia has apparently received offers of more than €50 million for Cancelo from clubs in the Premier League. Rivals Real Madrid and Serie A side Juventus are also reportedly keeping tabs on Cancelo’s future.

Combined with trying to keep Rafinha permanently at the end of the season, Inter’s mercato problems seemingly just got a little more difficult.

It’s not to say that qualifying for the Champions League will solve everything, because it likely won’t. Banking on European money is no guarantee that the Nerazzurri will have the necessary funds to pay for both of their services.

Inter management is also reportedly working on restructuring a deal for Argentinian striker Mauro Icardi that would make his buy-out clause in the neighborhood of €140 million and pay him an annual salary of close to €8 million.

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