Inter head coach Simone Inzaghi has asked the club to sign one more defender during the summer transfer window, in order to ensure adequate depth in the backline after Andrea Ranocchia left.
This according to today’s print edition of Milan-based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, who report that the coach wants a real centre-back option to replace Ranocchia and that the club are looking at low-cost opportunities.
The Nerazzurri look increasingly set to head into the upcoming season with the same first-choice back three of Alessandro Bastoni, Milan Skriniar, and Stefan de Vrij from last season.
Meanwhile, versatile defenders Danilo D’Ambrosio and Federico Dimarco have proven that they can be backup options on the right and the left respectively.
However, with Ranocchia having left for Monza on a free transfer at the start of the summer, the squad is a bit light in players who can deputize for more robust and physical defenders like de Vrij and Skriniar.
Inzaghi wants a player with this profile to be signed, and while the club are thinking about a player like Fiorentina’s Nikola Milenkovic or Atalanta’s Merih Demiral, a more likely possibility would be a move for a lower-cost player.
Meanwhile, the coach is also having some apprehensions about the strength of the squad at wingback following the departure of Ivan Perisic on a free transfer for Tottenham Hotspur at the start of the summer window.
Robin Gosens has yet to convince due to injuries, while Valentino Lazaro was used as a placeholder for the German in yesterday’s friendly against Lens but looks to be close to the exit door.
