In an interview with Italian daily newspaper Corriere della Sera, Inter chief executive Giuseppe ‘Beppe’ Marotta spoke on a range of Inter topics and firstly spoke on Inter’s views when it comes to the season resuming.
“We were silent not for fear of outsourcing, but because the scenario changed every day,” he started the interview which appeared in today’s print edition.
“The main concern was to protect the security of Inter, this was very important to the owners. Football should have sought a more peaceful debate.
“We did not want to start again, but we had to. We had to be logical. Football is a business. The government have worked hard to come to a decision in respect of heath.
“The basis of everything is loyalty, I hope that the directors respect the concept and nobody hides anything. The 5 substitutions certainly benefit the team with the strongest bench.”
He was then asked what Inter’s goals are for the remainder of the season.
“The first goal is to be a protagonist. With 13 matches left to play in the league, anything can happen. We also want to be protagonists in other competitions. The Coppa Italia is a closer target than the Europa League which is more ambitious.”
He then spoke on the recent sale of former club captain Mauro Icardi for €58 million to Paris Saint-Germain.
“Icardi was no longer part of our project. We had to find satisfactory accommodation for him and us and we done that. The ending was absolutely pleasant.”
Marotta was then quizzed on whether or not Lautaro Martinez will move to Barcelona amid continued links to the reigning La Liga champions.
“Lautaro represents an important reference point for Inter, we don’t need to sell him. There is a €111 million release clause that expires on July 7th: it is the only way that he will be sold.
“The player can wait and grow with Inter. We will meet with him, we have to make him understand that such a possibility can come again in the future, when he is more ready.”
Next he spoke on the moves made in the past year.
“We have added important people from the coach to some players, including Eriksen in January. Inter now has great visibility and charm. Eriksen is a good player and Conte will find the right place for him.”
He was then asked about the futures of Radja Nainggolan, Ivan Perisic and Stefano Sensi with the club.
“We have an obligation and that is we cannot depreciate the value of our players. We evaluate everything with the coach. We want to keep Sensi.”
He was then asked what kind of players Inter are looking to bring in in the upcoming transfer window and was asked about Federico Chiesa and Sandro Tonali.
“We are looking for ready players, but young Italians are an important target. Then there are the market assessments. Chiesa has a demanding price, we are far apart. As for Tonali, there is more ease to sign him in comparison to Chiesa.”
Next Marotta was asked about Juventus’ Paulo Dybala and made a huge revelation about the Argentine.
“He is one of the greatest talents. Last year we felt we could have signed him but today he is projected to become a great Juventus leader.”
He was then asked if next year’s main objective is to win the Serie A title for the first time in over 10 years.
“We want to raise the bar and the quality level of the Inter team.”
He was then asked if there are any similarities between Inter president Steven Zhang and Juventus president Andrea Agnelli.
“I have worked in many places, if I look at the last two experiences there are principles that unite Agnelli and Zhang: the great sense of belonging, of victory, of the culture of work and there is passion. Even today Inter have them. The ambition is to go higher.”
