What’s Up With Inter — Where Are The Signings?

The Suning group have not been their usual selves, spending very little so far. What’s the problem? Image: Getty

Unlike fellow club AC Milan, Inter have had a pretty poor mercato so far. What is happening with the Nerazzuri, and can they get it together?

Bye, Bye, Banega

Inter have already sold a key player this year in Banega, and there should be more sales to come. Caprari, Banega, and Juan Jesus have all left for a decent sum, although Banega’s €9 million transfer fee has left some perplexed, especially considering Biglia, a player of similar caliber, was sold for €20 million to Milan.

Most of these sales are due to FFP regulations, Inter trying to recoup some of the losses in recent years. Perisic seems to be headed out to Manchester United for a fee in the range of €50 million. With all the money coming in from these departures, why aren’t Inter signing anyone?

Possible Prospects

Skriniar and Borja Valero are Inter’s only two notable signings so far. The former became the most expensive Slovak player ever, the deal involving €20 million plus Caprari. Inter fans weren’t especially happy with the fee they payed, especially considering that the defender isn’t that big of a prospect. Valero was a much cheaper signing, only around €7 million, and while he is quite old, he could provide the Nerazzuri with a replacement for Banega for the next couple of years.

Dalbert’s transfer has been delayed for around two months now, Nice wanting to keep him for the UCL qualifiers. For now, Inter seem to have their sights set on unrealizable prospects like Nainggolan, Vidal, Di Maria, and Kroos. While they certainly have the money to finance these transfers, it’s unlikely that the players would want to leave for a club that has struggled in recent years, especially one that failed to qualify for European competition this year. More probable targets include players like Keita, who could be on his way to Inter after being spotted heading to Milan.

It’s not looking good for Inter right now in terms of signings, but one of the most important acquisitions they have made thus far has been Luciano Spaletti. He’s been successful in the Serie A, and he may be just what Inter needs to return to the top.

No Money Troubles

Well, at least no lack of it. FFP regulations have hit Inter hard after the club failed to perform following huge transfer windows, and the Nerazzuri have been forced to cut down on the spending as to avoid a transfer ban or other forms of punishment. While FFP regulations may force them to be more careful, Suning is definitely not short of money. The team’s owners have billions of euros to spend, and we’ve seen that in recent years, spending hundreds of millions of euros only to see their signings disappoint again and again.

Inter’s problems have nothing to do with money. They are fully capable of dishing out the cash; they just need to find the right players to spend it on. They’ve seen too many young players flop like Kondogbia and Gabigol, and they need to be smarter with their purchases.

Inter have definitely not had the greatest window, but it’ll surely improve within the coming weeks. Suning has voiced their will to spend money; now it’s just up to Spaletti to ask. FFP regulations have hit the Nerazzuri hard, so they’ll need to spend their money wisely.