Inter have identified Fiorentina striker Dusan Vlahovic as their ideal replacement for Chelsea-bound Romelu Lukaku, but will also consider other options.
As reported in today’s newspaper edition of La Gazzetta dello Sport, Lukaku is closing in on a return to former club Chelsea and a deal to send the club’s top scorer last season to the Premier League could be wrapped up soon.
The Nerazzurri’s top target is Serbia international Vlahovic but he is currently beyond their financial reach, with Fiorentina demanding at least €50 million for him.
With Inter looking to reel in their spending and cut costs, such expenses would not be feasible and a move for Vlahovic would be extremely difficult, but directors Beppe Marotta and Piero Ausilio may seek to find an agreement with Fiorentina in which payments are spread more widely.
The second name on the list of targets is Atalanta striker Duvan Zapata and he is thought to be a more realistic option.
Inter enjoy a strong working relationship with La Dea but this is unlikely to lead to a considerable discount, as they attempt to bring Atalanta’s asking price of €40m down to a more manageable €30-35m.
Finally, the Nerazzurri may return to Roma striker Edin Dzeko after coming close to signing him in January. The 35-year-old would be the most affordable option and only has a year remaining on his contract in the capital, but would request a tw0-year deal with favourable terms to move to Inter.
Despite falling out with former coach Paulo Fonseca last season, Dzeko has found confidence from Jose Mourinho and is open to staying at Roma, although Marotta and Ausilio are optimistic that he can be persuaded to move.
With Dzeko being far more affordable than Vlahovic and Zapata, he could open the door to a move for Lazio’s Joaquin Correa, with coach Simone Inzaghi keen to reunite with him at Inter.
