Inter midfielder Marcelo Brozovic now looks almost certain to depart from the Nerazzurri at the end of the season.

This according to Italian news outlet Gazzetta.it, who report that relations between the 30-year-old and his club have broken down significantly, and that his exit is probable now that he no longer has a clear first-choice role in midfield.

Brozovic came into the current season as one of the most important players in Inter’s squad.

The Croat signed a contract extension with the Nerazzurri last spring, committing his future rather than leaving on a free transfer last summer.

Brozovic had been seen as virtually irreplaceable on the pitch, whilst he was also seen as a leader in the squad on and off the pitch.

However, this season Hakan Calhanoglu has emerged as a starting-quality regista during lengthy injury absences from Brozovic, whilst Henrikh Mkhitaryan has become a regular starter in midfield.

This has left little room for Brozovic, who even since his return to full fitness has been far from guaranteed of his place in midfield.

Yesterday evening against Lecce, it was once again Calhanoglu and Mkhitaryan who started alongside Nicolo Barella in the centre of the pitch.

The fact that, even though Brozovic had worn the captain’s armband in last Sunday’s loss away to Bologna, it was Lautaro Martinez who faced the media after the match did not go unnoticed by Inter’s directors either.

The sense is that the 30-year-old has rapidly lost a lot of his importance to the team in more ways than one, and is now seen as expendable.

Aside from this, Inter’s relations with the player and his representatives have not been great due to the handling of his injuries this season by his personal physiotherapist.

Accordingly, the Gazzetta reports, all signs now point towards Brozovic being on his way out in the summer.