Inter and AC Milan could possibly battle it out to sign Udinese midfielder Rodrigo de Paul according to a report from Italian news outlet FCInterNews.it.
de Paul is understood to be dreaming of a move to a big club and Udinese are wanting €35-40 million to part ways with him. This figure is however considered to be too high by all interested clubs.
AC Milan, via intermediary Gabriele Giuffrida, have established contact with de Paul’s agent in recent weeks and would be especially interested in signing him if Hakan Calhanoglu does not agree to a new contract.
Inter have meanwhile been courting him since Luciano Spalletti’s days in charge but when Antonio Conte arrived the plans changed despite Inter chief executive Giuseppe ‘Beppe’ Marotta has a long standing friendship with Udinese’s sporting director Pierpaolo Marino.
The report goes on to explain that in January if Christian Eriksen, Radja Nainggolan and Matias Vecino were to leave, Inter would look to buy a top midfielder to complete the team.
de Paul is a possibility as is Hellas Verona’s Mattia Zaccagni, even if Inter really need a player who can be the vice-Marcelo Brozovic rather than another mezzala.
Much will ultimately depend on the price. €35 million is considered to be too much at the moment in COVID times but it could be different if it was a loan with an option to buy that could turn into an obligation to buy under certain conditions. Udinese are however not keen on such a formula.
Juventus have also been linked with de Paul but seemingly dream of signing Sassuolo’s Manuel Locatelli whilst they see de Paul as a plan B.
