Inter could be priced out of a move to sign Napoli defender Nikola Maksimovic, according to a report in the Italian media.
FcInterNews.it confirmed the Nerazzurri were looking to refresh their back-up options in defence with Andrea Ranocchia and Aleksandar Kolarov set to leave this summer.
Maksimovic’s agent Fali Ramadani has offered the defender – who is available on a free transfer at the end of the season – to Inter, Lazio and Roma, but there are no advanced talks with anyone yet.
Inter do not want to offer Maksimovic an annual salary higher than €2 million, whereas the 29-year-old wants a three-year deal worth €3 million from his next contract.
The Nerazzurri do not want to spend excessively on the wages of Ranocchia and Kolarov’s replacements, not least because they have several players in line for contract extensions already.
Ranocchia and Kolarov earn a combined €4.5 million annually and if Inter do not recall Lorenzo Pirola (on loan at Monza) to replace them in the first-team squad, the club will not sign any centre-back asking for too much money.
Maksimovic could see his wage demands satisfied by clubs in the Premier League, where he still has interest, but the Serbian’s priority is to remain in Serie A.
Inter are interested in the defender, but the report said there was a long way to go before anybody can talk about reaching an agreement or putting pen to paper on a deal.
