Inter full-back Dalbert has a good chance of securing a return to Nice before the transfer window closes, according to FcInterNews.it.
The Ligue 1 club would welcome back their former protégé with open arms and have offered a loan with an option to buy.
Inter must receive €18-20 million for the Brazilian if they wish to avoid making a net loss, having agreed to give Nice 20% of any future transfer fee when signing Dalbert in 2017.
Simone Togna reported: “The impression is that with a bit of work a deal will be agreed, provided the clubs both concede a bit of ground and Dalbert’s demands, both in terms of a contract and game time, are satisfied.”
Inter briefly received interest from Lyon at the beginning of the transfer window after they sold Ferland Mendy to Real Madrid.
Club owner Jean-Michel Aulas offered €15 million for the 26-year-old but the Nerazzurri rejected it and said they wanted more money.
Monaco also made an approach for Dalbert, having already tried to sign him last summer, with a series of contacts between the French club and the full-back’s entourage.
However, they too were unwilling to meet Inter’s asking price and eventually decided not to push through with a deal.
Nice’s offer for Dalbert is no better than the proposals Inter had from Lyon and Monaco, but the Nerazzurri may be prepared to accept less now they are pursuing Fiorentina left-back Cristiano Biraghi.
Biraghi would be a useful reinforcement as he is eligible for a homegrown slot in Antonio Conte’s Champions League squad, having spent seven years in the club’s youth system.
Inter were interested in arranging a swap deal with Fiorentina for Dalbert and Biraghi, but the Viola are not a realistic option for the Brazilian.
Dalbert wants a club who will place complete faith in him but the Viola are not prepared to give him the same salary he earns in Milan, worth around €2 million annually before tax.
Antonio Conte was impressed with the full-back’s commitment and work rate during preseason, spotting the same qualities in the player which persuaded Walter Sabatini to sign him two years ago.
Dalbert is looking for a coach who has no doubt whatsoever about wanting to play him consistently, though, which he does not believe will be Conte.
Luciano Spalletti frequently praised Dalbert during his two seasons at Inter, but when it came to naming a starting XI it became clear he ultimately preferred other options.
“Changing for the sake of changing doesn’t make much sense, but you can say the same about staying at a club where you’re not really wanted,” Togna concluded.