Bologna’s Austrian striker Marko Arnautovic is “not up to the standard of Inter Milan” according to a report in Italian media.
Yesterday’s print edition of Milan-based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, via FCInterNews, take aim at the 34-year-old’s transfer in an editorial suggesting that the Nerazzurri have not done enough in their search for a striker.
Arnautovic will be the player who Inter settle on in their search for a striker.
The Austrian wasn’t the only player the Nerazzurri looked at. Nor was he their first choice, or even second or third.
There have been flirtations with Arsenal’s Folarin Balogun. Gianluca Scamacca came onto Inter’s radar before Atalanta beat them to the punch.
In recent days Porto striker Mehdi Taremi has emerged as a major target.
Even Bayern Munich’s Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting was a player Inter looked into over the past few days. However, the Bundesliga outfit don’t want to sell the striker.
However, Arnautovic is the player Inter have landed on.
The former West Ham United man has proven a convenient and attainable target who ticks Inter’s main boxes – a tall, physically strong centre-forward who can hold up play in addition to scoring goals.
Gazzetta Argue Marko Arnautuovic Isn’t Good Enough For Inter
In the view of the Gazzetta, however, there can be no hiding it.
Arnautovic isn’t up to the standard of the Nerazzurri, the newspaper argue.
Whilst Arnautovic has enjoyed good form for Bologna, particularly in the 2021-22 season, his first in Emilia-Romagna, he is 34. There is slim chance that the Austrian will see improvement or growth next season.
Moreover, Arnautovic missed a few spells with injuries last season. The Bologna striker is not as good as Edin Dzeko and Romelu Lukaku, the Gazzetta argues.
Arnautovic will have next season to prove his worth in an Inter shirt.
But the Gazzetta argues that there’s little reason to be optimistic.
