The Sporting Director of Athletico Paranaense has stated that Inter Milan target Bento is “Not for sale” this summer.
Speaking to Italian news outlet FCInterNews, Paranaense Sporting Director Alexandre Mattos has made clear that the Nerazzurri have made contact to inquire about the 24-year-old’s availability, but also warned that the player isn’t for sale until the end of the Brazilian season.
In the past few days, Paranaense goalkeeper Bento is a player who’s come onto Inter’s radar.
The Nerazzurri are continuing their search for a potential backup keeper for next season.
Whilst Yann Sommer is on the verge of completing his move from Bayern Munich, he is not the only player that Inter want to sign in the position.
The departure of Samir Handanovic this summer means that there are more vacancies to fill. And Inter’s strategy as far as their search looks to be fairly clear.
Inter will aim to sign a young player with room to grow.
And Paranaense’s Bento looks to be a serious target as far as this aim goes.
Paranaense DS Clarifies: Inter Interested In Bento Who’s Not For Sale This Summer
Paranaense Sporting Director Mattos didn’t leave much doubt about the Brazilian club’s stance regarding Bento.
“Bento is not for sale,” he said.
“I spoke with Piero about him,” the Paranaense executive continued, referring to Inter Sporting Director Piero Ausilio.
“He’s very professional,” Mattos said of his Nerazzurri counterpart. “He understands and respects our decision.”
He then added that “This season he will stay at Athletico Paranaense. Only next season would we potentially think about letting him leave.”
Over the past couple of years, Bento has become Paranaense’s first-choice keeper.
Whilst the 24-year-old has not yet received a cap for Brazil, his performances have caught some attention in Europe.
Evidently, Inter are among the teams to sit up and take notice. However, they will have a tough time getting their man this summer based on Mattos’s words.
