Inter will not recall defender Zinho Vanhesuden early from his loan with AZ Alkmaar, even if they fail to sign Francesco Acerbi on loan from Lazio.

This according to Italian news outlet FCInter1908, who report that the Nerazzurri will stick with the plan of having Vanhesuden try to develop on loan in the Eredivisie and will not turn to the 23-year-old as an emergency solution for defensive depth.

With the move for Lazio’s Acerbi now looking to be very much in doubt after it had appeared close to being done, the question is now open who the Nerazzurri will rely on as the replacement for Andrea Ranocchia as the direct backup to Stefan de Vrij.

Youngster Alessandro Fontanarossa has been suggested as a possibility given that his form with the Primavera team has been promising, although whether the 19-year-old would be ready for first-team action in Serie A remains to be seen.

Meanwhile, Vanheusden could be another possibility, as the Belgian has not yet made his debut for AZ as he deals with muscle injuries and finds himself behind other defenders in the pecking order at his current loan club.

However, the Nerazzurri’s plan remains to let Vanheusden develop on loan at AZ, having had a mixed spell with Genoa last season, and they have no intention of having him return early to replace Ranocchia and complete the depth in the back three.