Arsenal defender Takehiro Tomiyasu and Chelsea’s Trevoh Chalobah are Inter Milan’s top targets in defense.

This according to today’s print edition of Milan-based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, via FCInterNews.

With the start of the season only a few days away, and transfer deadline day looming, Inter still haven’t signed a replacement for Milan Skriniar.

Yann Bisseck has arrived from Aarhus. However, the 22-year-old German youth international is more of a prospect for the future.

Bisseck will get his opportunities to play next season, but not necessarily compete for the first-choice starting eleven.

Rather, the German is something of a replacement for the veteran Danilo D’Ambrosio.

In the meantime, therefore, the only two starting-quality players that Inter have to play on the outside roles in the back three are Alessandro Bastoni and Matteo Darmian.

Tomiyasu & Chalobah Inter’s Top 2 Targets In Defense

Therefore, Inter will certainly move for a defender before the transfer window closes.

And according to the Gazzetta, Nerazzurri coach Simone Inzaghi has made clear that he wants a player who is ready to slot right in and challenge for a first-choice spot.

Bisseck will be the option for the future. The coach wants a defender for the present.

And, with just a couple weeks to go to wrap up their search, the Gazzetta anticipate that Inter will attempt to move for one of two defenders currently plying their trade in London.

Japanese international and former Bologna man Tomiyasu is a top target.

The 24-year-old would bring Serie A experience and the kind of versatile profile needed to play in Inzaghi’s back-three system.

The biggest obstacle, however, could be a knee injury to Tomiyasu’s Arsenal teammate Jurrien Timber.

With Timber looking like he could be on the sidelines for a significant period, the Gunners will be reluctant to sell Tomiyasu.

One player whose club likely wouldn’t resist selling is Chelsea defender Chalobah.

The Blues have spent big to bring Axel Disasi in rather than relying on the 23-year-old. It seems clear that they will  be ready to cash in on their youth academy project. Chalobah is also a long-term target for Inter.

Therefore, the Gazzetta report, the Nerazzurri could decide to make their move in the final couple weeks of the window.

Chalobah is currently out with a muscle injury. But that won’t likely dissuade Inter, who see the Englishman as a fairly ideal target in defense.