Transfer news update: Inter Milan still working on Vrsaljko; still hope for Malcom

You have to admit, it has been a pretty good transfer window for Inter Milan. No, we didn’t sign Cristiano Ronaldo (not that we really wanted to) and we lost out on Joao Cancelo and Rafinha.

However, snatching up Radja Nainggolan from Roma and getting Stefan De Vrij, Matteo Politano and Kwadwo Asamoah from rival clubs and completing the signing of Argentina starlet Lautaro Martinez all without losing any quality players is a pretty good mercato.

But, the Nerazzurri still have some work to be done.

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The latest reports in Italy suggest Inter management have agreed to terms for right back Sime Vrsaljko, but terms with his current club, Atletico Madrid, are yet to be agreed upon.

Inter has reportedly offered a loan fee of around €6 million with a buy clause worth about €18 million, according to Calciomercato.com.

That is close to Vrasaljko’s initial valuation of €25 million, but it appears Atletico want a little more considering his recent performance for Croatia in the 2018 World Cup. Atletico is looking for a deal more in the range of €30 million.

It remains unclear as to whether Inter will budge on the purchase price, which is likely the only number they could move up as that is the number that won’t hit the books until next season.

Vrasaljko is Inter’s No. 1 target at right back and would be a solid addition to the club, especially considering his chemistry with Ivan Perisic and Marcelo Brozovic.

If the deal falls through, it appears Inter will switch their focus to Matteo Darmian from Manchester United as their next target. However, it could be a little complicated considering Jose Mourinho wants Perisic to bolster the Red Devils’ attack next season. If Inter isn’t willing to part with Perisic, it could make negotiations for Darmian difficult.

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Malcom may reject Everton

It appears Bordeaux star Malcom has no interested in moving to the Premier League.

His agent reportedly told media outlets that he will start talks with Roma over the winger’s future.

“In the next few hours, I will have a word with (Ramon) Monchi (sporting director of AS Roma),” his agent told TeleRadioStereo, as reported by Calciomercato.com. “The player would like to come to Italy and Roma are very interested.”

This also keeps the door open for Inter as they identified Malcom as a potential target and even submitted deals to bring him to the San Siro. They were rejected by Bordeaux as they were not outright purchase agreements.

Both Everton and Tottenham Hotspur have expressed interest in the Brazilian, with only Everton actually advancing in talks with Bordeaux.

In order for Inter to remain in the race, it is likely they will have to submit a new offer. What that looks like could be a loan deal with a higher purchase option.

Competing with Roma could be a challenge as they have since transferred goalkeeper Alisson Becker to Liverpool for somewhere between €60 million and €70 million. That leaves Roma with plenty of cash to spend to purchase Malcom outright, if they so choose.

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