Lautaro Martinez is happy at Inter but supporters still can’t be certain he will stay, according to the Nerazzurri’s former midfielder Evaristo Beccalossi.
El Toro told reporters yesterday that he was certain to remain with the Nerazzurri, even if Antonio Conte were to walk away from the club in the summer.
Inter’s financial problems are serious though, with many reports suggesting they will need to sell a key player or two to balance the books.
Speaking to Tuttosport for Tuesday’s print edition, Beccalossi admitted: “I know Lautaro is happy at Inter and wants to establish himself with the Nerazzurri.
“But I can’t feel certain that he’ll stay, given the times we’re living.
“Here’s a joke for you: if Inter received a €150 million offer, how could they reject it?”
Inter would need reinforcements in the transfer window in order to make progress in the UEFA Champions League, but it seems there will be almost no scope for investment in the summer.
Beccalossi was well aware of the current plight when asked where Inter should strengthen, arguing: “It would be too easy for me to say they need three players worth €40 million to attack the Champions League.
“I’d like that, but I understand that they need to sort other issues first.
“Keeping hold of Inter’s star players would be a start, because the Nerazzurri have an important base to build from.
“It would be a shame to break up Inter’s strike partnership, but the same goes for their three defenders and the midfield.”
Inter have become Serie A champions for the first time since 2010 and Beccalossi believes Conte is the man who deserves most credit.
“You can see Conte’s imprint on the team, they have a real identity,” he added.
“The first few months were difficult, because they needed to find the right balance even though they had the potential to fight with Juventus.
“Everything was downhill after that though; the players have made an incredible step this season, staying compact throughout.”
Beccalossi also identified a turning point in Inter’s season and leapt to the defence of the Nerazzurri’s comeback kid, Christian Eriksen.
“They improved hugely after the elimination from the UEFA Champions League,” he argued.
“Football isn’t like a PlayStation where you can turn it on and off as you please; you need time to achieve certain results.
“I remember Milan Skriniar being criticised for how he played in a back three, or Eriksen who has shown everyone what he can do for the Nerazzurri’s cause since being revived by Conte.
“If a player is good, he’s good.”