Inter Milan decided against moving for Southampton midfielder Carlos Alcaraz after it became clear he would be too expensive.

This according to today’s print edition of Turin-based newspaper Tuttosport, via FCInterNews, who detail the Nerazurri’s last-minute search for a midfielder.

Inter spent the last couple of days of the summer transfer window searching for a midfielder.

Naturally, the process was a frantic one. The Nerazzurri needed to identify, and then complete the process of signing, a player before the transfer deadline if they wanted to reinforce in the centre of the pitch.

And Inter did sign a midfielder.

The Nerazzurri brought in Dutch international Davy Klaassen on a free transfer from Ajax.

But Klaassen was far from the only player Inter looked at.

Inter Milan Didn’t Sign Carlos Alcaraz From Southampton Due To Cost

According to Tuttosport, one of the names Inter considered was 20-year-old Argentine youth team international Alcaraz.

Alcaraz has been on Inter’s radar in the past.

The Nerazzurri and Benfica both reportedly worked to try and sign the Argentine from Racing Club in past transfer windows.

However, it was Southampton who ended up winning the race to bring Alcaraz to Europe.

Saints signed Alcaraz in the January transfer window. He was a key reinforcement in the Premier League club’s bid to stay in the top flight.

Southampton were not successful in that aim – they finished rock bottom of the Premier League table last season.

Therefore, Alcaraz’s future at St. Mary’s has looked in some doubt.

Inter, among other clubs, showed some interest in reigniting their pursuit of the Argentine.

However, Tuttosport report, Saints made clear that they would expect a fee of at least €20 million for Alcaraz. This is well above what Inter could have afforded.

The Nerazzurri always knew that if they were going to sign a midfielder, it would be a low-cost, loan, or free transfer opportunity.

Therefore, Manchester United’s Donny van de Beek was one name they considered. And a free transfer of ex-Udinese, Watford, and Juventus midfielder Roberto Pereyra always looked possible.

But in the end, Inter decided on Klaassen.