Inter Milan are ready to reignite their pursuit of Atalanta defender Merih Demiral now that a move to sign Chelsea’s Cesar Azpilicueta is off.
This according to today’s print edition of Rome-based newspaper Corriere dello Sport, via FCInterNews.
Inter had looked to be close to completing the signing of Azpilicueta from Chelsea.
The Spaniard was ready to agree a termination of his contract with the Blues by mutual consent. Then, he would join the Nerazzurri on a free transfer, with a two-year deal worth €3.5 million ready to be signed.
However, the player has pulled the plug on the move. Azpilicueta has instead decided to make the move to Atletico Madrid instead for next season.
Reportedly, the Spaniard has cited personal reasons for making his decision. He wants to move to the Spanish capital with his family.
Inter Milan Turn To Atalanta Defender Demiral As Azpilicueta Alternative
This leaves Inter scrambling to find a new defensive signing.
Azpilicueta had been the player they picked to replace Milan Skriniar whose departure has now been sealed with his contract done.
Meanwhile, Danilo D’Ambrosio has also left Inter at the end of his own contract. This leaves the Nerazzurri without any defenders capable of playing on the left side of the back three apart from the versatile Matteo Darmian who deputized there towards the end of last season.
Demiral is a player Inter have been viewing as a potential Skriniar replacement for some time.
The Nerazzurri had already been targeting the 25-year-old in January. At that time, they considered him as a possible emergency replacement for Skriniar should they have sold the Slovakian then.
According to the Corriere, Inter’s interest in signing Demiral has not dissipated.
They still see the Turkish international as a possible Skriniar replacement.
Moreover, Demiral is almost certainly to leave the Gewiss Arena this summer after falling out with coach Gian Piero Gasperini.
As such, the Corriere report, Inter are interested in moving for the former Juventus and Sassuolo defender.
