Despite being linked with a return for Romelu Lukaku, such a move would be too difficult and Inter will instead turn to Sassuolo’s Gianluca Scamacca, according to Italian journalist Enzo Bucchioni.
Belgium international Lukaku has endured a miserable season at Chelsea since joining from Inter in a €115 million deal last summer, prompting suggestions that the Nerazzurri would explore the option of bringing him back to Serie A.
However, writing in an editorial for Tuttomercatoweb.com, Bucchioni claimed that it was not financially feasible and a move for Scamacca was much more likely.
“Even if the economic situation seems to have improved, Inter, like other clubs, remain alarmed by the finances and to think that an operation of this magnitude is possible is pure utopia,” Bucchioni argued.
“This is despite the player, who now earns €12.5m net, being willing to reduce his salary as he has already said he will. Lukaku is the past and Inter look to the future with a very specific name: Gianluca Scamacca. Why Scamacca and not Lukaku? Three very simple reasons. The cost of the deal, wages, and age.”
The journalist highlighted the difficulty in negotiating a suitable price for Lukaku less than a year after Chelsea made him the second most expensive signing in Premier League history, whilst a deal with Sassuolo would be far more affordable.
“There are currently no negotiations, but Chelsea cannot devalue a player they paid €115m after a few months. The Italian striker, on the other hand, costs around €40m, and as we know and has already been demonstrated, Sassuolo does not need immediate cash and is satisfied with convenient instalments as with selling [Manuel] Locatelli to Juventus.
“However, it is money that goes into the budget and guarantees income over time. And then, even if Lukaku were content to go back to earning €3-4m less, it would still cost more than double the initial €3m that Inter would offer to Scamacca.”
With Lukaku set to turn 29 at the end of the season, Bucchioni claimed that Inter’s move for the 22-year-old Scamacca would make much more sense in the long-term. He also hinted that the Nerazzurri could raid Sassuolo again for Davide Frattesi as a potential heir to Nicolo Barella in midfield.
“There are six years between the two and Beppe Marotta, wisely, must think about the Inter of today, but also to lay solid foundations for the future,” Bucchioni continued.
“In this regard, with Sassuolo he would have already made progress for Davide Frattesi, another youngster valued at €15-20m. Here we return to balance sheets and capital gains. Frattesi could be an excellent prospect to take Barella’s place in the event that another painful summer sale is required.
“The hypothesis always hovers and the most suitable player to sell has always been Lautaro Martinez, courted by Barcelona for some time. But there has been interest in Barella from important English clubs. Frattesi is not Barella, of course, but the role is the same. Hopefully for the Nerazzurri fans, the sacrifices are over,” he concluded.
