Inter President Steven Zhang is set to return to Milan from China in the coming weeks and begin a round of contract renewals for key players.
As reported in today’s newspaper edition of La Gazzetta dello Sport, Zhang and Suning are committed to remaining at Inter and will seek investment to retain their position, with plans for the future already being put into place.
Amongst the priorities is tying down a group of players to improved and extended deals, starting with striker Lautaro Martinez. Discussions are already at an advanced stage with the Argentine for a three-year deal at €4.5 million per season, whilst centre-back Alessandro Bastoni is next on the list.
Zhang will also look to secure new contracts for fellow defenders Stefan De Vrij and Danilo D’Ambrosio, the latter set to be a free agent this summer, and midfielder Nicolo Barella.
Going forward, negotiations will begin properly with midfielder Marcelo Brozovic at the end of the season after the Croatian dropped his agent this week in order to represent himself.
Only after this stage will attention be turn to extending deals for key staff, including coach Antonio Conte.
The former Juventus tactician has one year remaining on his existing contract and with a €13.5m salary, Zhang will wait until the summer and a potential windfall from investment and Scudetto success before engaging in discussions over an extension.
Similarly, new deals for directors Beppe Marotta, Piero Ausilio and his assistant Dario Baccin will only be considered at a later date, despite all three having only a single year remaining on their respective contracts.
