Benfica have cooled their interest in signing Inter Milan target Anatoliy Trubin due to Shakhtar Donetsk’s high asking price.
This according to Portuguese newspaper Record, via FCInterNews, who report that like the Nerazzurri, the Eagles do not want to pay Shakhtar’s demanded fee for the 21-year-old, which is around €20 million.
Benfica have reportedly been readying a push to sign Trubin.
The Ukrainian is a major target for the Portuguese champions in goal. To this end, they have reportedly met with representatives of Shakhtar in London, where the Ukrainians are playing a friendly against Tottenham Hotspur.
However, so far Record report that not a lot of progress has been made.
This is because of the fee that Shakhtar want. The Ukrainians reportedly want at least €20 million for their goalkeeper.
Therefore, Record report, Benfica are already taking a step back. They feel that there is little hope of convincing Dhakhtar to go down on their demands, which they have no intention of meeting.
Benfica Cool Interest In Trubin – Inter Consider Ukrainian A Major Target
At the moment, Trubin is also a major target for Inter, although like with Benfica a deal this summer looks difficult.
Whilst the Nerazzurri have hoped to exploit the Ukrainian’s contract situation to obtain a reduced fee, Shakhtar haven’t budged.
Despite the fact that Trubin is out of contract at the end of next June, Shakhtar and Inter are still miles away on fee. The Ukrainian haven’t brought their asking price down.
Inter want to sign the 21-year-old as their long-term goalkeeping solution. They will soon wrap up a deal for Yann Sommer as a shorter-term option, but Trubin is a key target for the future.
Reports have suggested that if Inter cannot get the price for Trubin down this summer, they could simply wait until next summer to sign the Ukrainian on a free transfer when his deal with Shakhtar expires.
Considering the player is keen to make the switch and has reportedly already agreed a five-year deal, this could be a viable strategy.
