Matteo Politano is set to play an important role in attack for Inter this year after impressing Luciano Spalletti during pre-season, according to Corriere dello Sport.

Politano joined the Nerazzurri from Sassuolo in June for a fee in the region of €25 million but initially was not expected to be in contention for a place in the starting XI this season, with reports suggesting that sporting director Piero Ausilio was looking to sign a second wide forward in order to reinforce Spalletti’s options up front.

However the Italian has made a great impression in his first month at the club and the Rome-based publication now report he is set for a significant amount of game-time this year.

“Inter’s pre-season friendlies so far have provided nothing but positive indications on the player who almost signed for Napoli in January,” they wrote on Tuesday.

“It’s always important to provide goals as a forward, and here we must bring [Antonio] Candreva into the discussion, Inter’s first choice on the right wing last season.

“The Italian international did not score a single goal during the 2017-18 campaign, with his last coming in the Milan derby back in April 2017 – since when he has limited himself to a lot of crosses and plenty of assists (11 in total).

“The goals that Candreva hasn’t provided however could now be provided by Politano, a versatile winger who wouldn’t have a problem finding a place in the team even if Spalletti decided to use a back three. Inter have even sold Eder to make space for him this season.”