Wingers could be hot transfers at Inter Milan this summer

If it is true, Inter Milan will have a much different look next season, despite where they may finish at the end of this season.

Reports suggest wingers like Ivan Perisic, Antonio Candreva and Keita Balde will exit this season with just as many, if not more, new faces targeted.

According to Calciomercato, Inter expects Perisic to, once again, request a transfer. This time, the team will attempt to accommodate the Croatian international winger.

In January, Perisic handed in a transfer request, and a potential deal with Arsenal was rejected, keeping Perisic with the squad.

Photo by Emilio Andreoli/Getty Images

Candreva, on the other hand, has not made any request to transfer. However, it seems he has fallen out of favor with Inter manager Luciano Spalletti.

Even if Spalletti is not the manager next season, moving Candreva would free up room on the roster and bring in a bit of revenue to spend on other players. Candreva’s market value has plummeted due to the fact he rarely sees the pitch. At its height, his market value was €30.7 million in 2015, but it has since dropped to €12.5 million, according to Transfermarkt.

With regards to Balde, the Senegalese is currently on loan from Monaco, and the Ligue 1 side is asking a hefty fee for the Nerazzurri to keep him (more than €30 million at present). Unless Inter can get some kind of a discount on that fee, it is unlikely that his four goals in 27 appearances will be enough to keep him.

Photo by Emilio Andreoli/Getty Images

One player likely to be redeemed by Inter this summer is Matteo Politano. His market value has skyrocketed since joining Inter from Sassuolo last summer. According to Transfermarkt, his value has risen from €17 million in 2017 to €34.2 million now. That makes the €20 million redemption seem like a relative no-brainer.

Now, several players have been linked with a move to the Giuseppe Meazza this summer, but here are some of the bigger potential wingers to watch for:

• Nicolas Pepe – This season has been a breakout one for the Lille winger. His 20 goals and 14 assists this season is impressive, but I’m not sure if it warrants the €60 million to €70 million Lille will want for him.
• Steven Bergwijn – Even if Perisic somehow stays, the PSV Eindhoven winger would make a solid addition for the Nerazzurri. Inter has seen him twice in the Champions League and have scouted him after that. But don’t think it will be easy to pick him up as Liverpool, Manchester United and AC Milan have also expressed an interest.
• Hakim Ziyech – Speaking of the Eredivisie, Morocco international Ziyech could prove to be an option, if Inter were actively looking for winger support. This season, Ziyech has amassed 20 goals in all competitions, helping lead Ajax to a record for goals scored in a season, oh, and knocking off Real Madrid and Juventus in the Champions League.
• Malcom – The Brazilian winger/striker hasn’t impressed at Barcelona this season, scoring just four goals in 19 matches across all competitions. However, he could be another – albeit more expensive option – for the wing side.
• Ismaila Sarr – Here is another winger option (I’m not sure why we have so many options at this particular position), that could either augment or replace Perisic. With Stade Rennais, the Senegalese international has knocked in 10 goals in 45 appearances. Again, not that impressive and it is likely Rennais will want somewhere north of €35 million for him.
• Rodrigo de Paul – It’s been a good season for de Paul at Udinese as the Argentinian international has nine goals in 33 appearances. He already brings Serie A experience and would likely be cheaper than any of the above options.
• Federico Chiesa – It is plausible that there will be another fire sale at Fiorentina this season considering how their year has gone. Chiesa, who has spent his entire career with the Viola, could be on the chopping block despite his 12 goals this season. While he is likely the most expensive option for the Nerazzurri, he is also likely the most desirable one. Being Italian means he won’t cost Inter a non-EU roster spot, so there’s that.

We’ll try to break down each position to see who Inter may target in the off-season. Wingers to start, but you know the big conversation is coming with midfielders and strikers.

What do you think? Post your comments below!