Inter Milan haven’t given up on signing Arsenal’s Folarin Balogun and Montpellier’s Elye Wahi as possible striker targets.
This according to today’s print edition of Milan-based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, via FCInterNews, who report that the Nerazzurri are still considering the possibility of moving for one of the two Ligue 1 stars rather than a more traditional centre-forward.
Inter’s search for a new striker is now well underway.
The Nerazzurri have spent the past few days regrouping after the abrupt end to their pursuit of Chelsea’s Romelu Lukaku.
The club directors and coach Simone Inzaghi have held a series of meetings to formulate their strategy.
Atletico Madrid’s Alvaro Morata is one of the Nerazzurri’s main targets. The Spaniard would represent experience and reliability in Serie A and the Champions League in the minds of the directors and Inzaghi.
And the players Inter are looking at as backups to Morata – Udinese’s Beto and Porto’s Mehdi Taremi – are in a similar vein.
These would be very traditional Number Nine signings. They would lead the line, push back defenses, offer a physical threat in behind, and allow midfielders to get forward. Essentially, offering similar traits to Morata or Lukaku.
On the other hand, Inter could go in a different direction.
Inter Milan Fans Of Balogun & Wahi
According to the Gazzetta, whilst Inzaghi would like a traditional centre-forward, he is also interested in the possibility of a quicker player with dribbling ability.
Arsenal star Folarin Balogun would be a player in that vein.
The 22-year-old US international showed in his breakout campaign with Reims last season how much he can offer up front with his technical ability, close control, and quick change of pace.
The real problem for Inter in going after Balogun concerns the price tag. Arsenal want £40 million (equivalent to around €46 million).
This is even more than the Nerazzurri had been prepared to pay Lukaku.
However, that doesn’t mean that Inter are giving up. They could still try and chip the Gunners down on that fee.
Moreover, Balogun’s wages would not be quite as high as some other options – this could make a deal feasible.
Montpellier striker Elye Wahi is a similar target.
Interest from other European clubs in the 20-year-old means that his club won’t let him go for cheap.
But Wahi’s style of play seriously intrigues the Nerazzurri, who could take the plunge, reports the Gazzetta.