Inter coach Antonio Conte has highlighted three players that he would like the club to sign in January, in order to fully strengthen the squad and provide a strong fight against Juventus for the league title, according to a report from today’s paper edition of the Turin based newspaper Tuttosport.
The report details how Conte’s first reinforcement request is for a new midfielder, an obviouschoice considering the small injury crisis that’s currently plaguing the Nerazzurri squad. The top choice is Barcelona midfielder Arturo Vidal, with Udinese talisman Rodrigo De Paul as a back up choice. Atalanta owned midfielder Dejan Kulusevski, on the other hand, is seen as a target for next summer.
The next role Conte wants reinforced is the left back role, the report continues. The top choice there is Chelsea full back Marcos Alonso, who previously worked under the 50-year-old Italian coach during their time together at Chelsea. Alonso is preferred over Parma full back Matteo Darmian.
Finally, the last transfer Conte is keen for is a backup to striker Romelu Lukaku, with unhappy Chelsea forward Olivier Giroud being specifically identified, although he will only arrive if Matteo Politano leaves the Nerazzurri in January.
Inter plan to sign these players through loan deals with buy options or obligations attached, the report highlights, with some of the money coming from the sale of Brazilian striker Gabriel ‘Gabigol’ Barbosa to Flamengo, even if the Brazilian club are attempting to get a discount on the forward, despite agreeing to the €22 million request a few weeks ago.