Inter find themselves facing Champions League qualification for next season hanging on by a thread, and if they were to miss out the ramifications would be wide-ranging.
This is highlighted in today’s print edition of Milan-based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, via FCInterNews, who report that not only would a big name sale become necessary and Simone Inzaghi’s future as coach highly tenuous, but contract extension talks would also be affected.
Given the financial boost of reaching the semifinals of this season’s Champions League semifinals and possibly further, Inter could have a lot of wiggle room to avoid big sales in the summer.
This would all be undone, however, if the team were to fail to qualify for next season’s edition.
As the Gazzetta notes, the upshot is that the repayment of the €275 million loan that owners Suning took on in 2021 to support the club means that strict financial targets be met, and without Champions League revenues the transfer market would be the next place to look.
Andre Onana has been linked as the likeliest big name sale in recent weeks, with Chelsea keen on the Cameroonian.
However, given that Liverpool are keen on Nicolo Barella whilst Lautaro Martinez is on the radar of Arsenal, there are many names that could well be cashed in on if Inter were to lose Champions League revenues.
Meanwhile, there would also be the matter of contract extension talks with players already in the squad.
Whilst talks with the likes of defender Stefan de Vrij and striker Edin Dzeko have been reported to be at an advanced stage for some time, the club would have to think twice about offering them big money new deals without the guarantee of Champions League football.
The wage bill, currently at €132 million gross per season for the club, would undoubtedly have to be slashes without the revenues from Europe’s top club competition.
Lastly, there is the question of Inzaghi’s future on the bench.
As the Gazzetta notes, there is now no question that Inter are sounding out possible replacements for the 47-year-old, although nothing is quite decided yet.
With a top four finish in the league, the former Lazio boss could survive into next season, but otherwise it would be hard to see him being kept on.
