Inter Milan will reportedly resort to Atalanta star Teun Koopmeiners if AC Milan pip them in the race for Davide Frattesi.
The Nerazzurri thought they had the Sassuolo midfielder wrapped after making significant progress in their negotiations with the Neroverdi.
Nevertheless, Newcastle United are on the cusp of completing a sensational coup why signing AC Milan star Sandro Tonali for 70 million euros.
Subsequently, the Rossoneri could reinvest some of the cash by landing Frattesi as a direct replacement for the departing midfielder.
This would be a blow for Inter Milan, but they could bounce back by signing Koopmeiners as an alternative to Frattesi.
As Tuttosport (via FcInterNews) explains, this remains a hypothesis at the moment, as the Beneamata still have to figure out whether they’ll have enough cash to make an onslaught on the Atalanta star.
The source claims that the sale of André Onana (to either Chelsea or Man United) or Robin Gosens to Union Berlin would fund the transfer.
Koopmeiners enjoyed a splendid campaign in Bergamo, bagging 10 goals and four assists. He cemented himself as the best-scoring midfielder in Serie A in the 2022/23 season.
The Dutch international started his career at AZ Alkmaar before making the switch to Atalanta in the summer of 2021.
As the source explains, Inter need to bolster their midfield ranks, especially if Marcelo Brozovic were to follow Roberto Gagliardini to the exit door.
The Italian midfielder will leave following the expiry of his contract, while the Croatian has several offers on the table.
