Matteo Politano is not in the Inter squad to take on Cagliari in the Coppa Italia last 16 tonight according to a report on the website of Sky Sport Italia transfer market expert Gianluca Di Marzio.
As per the report, this is a signal of just how advanced talks between Inter and Roma are over a swap deal involving Politano and Leonardo Spinazzola.
With Politano not even in the squad, it would suggest that talks are at such an advanced stage that the Nerazzurri do not wish to put the player at risk of being injured which would lead to the deal with the Giallorossi collapsing.
Politano has fallen down the pecking order at the club this season and just two of his 15 appearances to date across all competitions have come as a starter.
The 26-year-old, who joined for circa €25 million from Sassuolo this past Summer, has failed to make any goal contributions.
