Beppe Marotta has confirmed that Inter Milan have no plans to sign an emergency replacement for striker Marko Arnautovic.
Speaking to Italian broadcaster Radio Anch’Io Lo Sport, via FCInterNews, the Nerazzurri CEO also stated that the club are ready to discuss a contract extension for wingback Federico Dimarco, and opened up on the summer saga with Romelu Lukaku.
Arnautovic picked up what could be a very serious injury in yesterday’s Serie A clash with Empoli.
The sense is that the Austrian will be out for several weeks – he could even miss a number of months.
Now Inter could be shorthanded in attack. Arnautovic is one of just four senior forwards in the Nerazzurri’s squad.
Therefore, there could very well be a temptation for Inter to dip into the market to make up for the former Stoke City and West Ham United veteran’s absence.
The options would be very restricted. The Nerazzurri could only go after players who are available as free agents.
But in any event, Marotta has made perfectly clear that that is not the club’s plan. They are happy keeping the squad that they already have.
Marotta: Inter Won’t Sign Emergency Arnautovic Replacement, Ready To Extend Dimarco’s Contract
Marotta said of Arnautovic that “It’s unfortunate because he’s fit in very well with this team.”
“But I believe in the versatility of the players, and I’m sure that Inzaghi will find a solution,” he continued.
The Inter CEO made very clear that “We plan to go forward with the squad we already have.”
Of Dimarco, Marotta said that “I’m very happy for him, because he represents a deep sense of belonging at the club.”
“We’re proud of him for that,” he went on.
“He continues to grow in quality, and I believe that he can get even better.”
“We’ll meet along with our Sporting Director Ausilio to talk about an extension,” the Inter executive made clear.
Marotta admitted that Dimarco’s outstanding form in the last couple seasons has surprised him. “I have to say that we never believed he could reach this level,” the CEO said.
“Now he’s one of the very best wingbacks playing in all of Europe,” he added.
Coy On Mkhitaryan Contract Extension, “Life Goes On” On Lukaku Soap Opera
On the possibility of a new deal for midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Marotta was more coy and muted.
“We’re evaluating it,” he said. “But now’s not the time to delve into these issues.”
“We’ll do so in due time, and with the utmost respect. The key is that this process always becomes much easier if the player wants to stay.”
Mkhitaryan’s current contract with Inter runs out at the end of next June.
Marotta also spoke about the summer soap opera that saw Inter’s relationship with striker Romelu Lukaku go completely sour.
“We were disappointed because we had established an affectionate relationship with him,” the Nerazzurri CEO admitted.
“But we did well to find alternative targets,” the executive said.
“Now it’s in the past, it’s a strange world in terms of relationships. Let’s adapt to what happened.”
Marotta observed that “Inter has existed for over a hundred years, and continues to do so regardless of the coaches, directors, and players who come and go. We’re always searching for new figures to be at the heart of the project.”
Why Inter Extended Inzaghi’s Contract, Marotta Not Too Worried About Rough Start To Champions League
Of Inter’s decision to extend the contract of coach Simone Inzaghi, Marotta said that “We’re still in an early part of the season, and interim phase where the league table looks exaggerated.”
“Last year we were eighth, with six points fewer,” he noted.
“Beyond the statistics, what I see in this team is an awareness of what they’re capable of,” Marotta said. “The certainty that they can compete on the biggest stage.”
“In Udine last year we had a very bad performance that had a negative impact on this team. But we understood what it meant and we overcame it.”
“Today it’s his team,” Marotta said of Inzaghi. “He’s the leader and the players follow his instructions.”
Of Inter’s Champions League opener, a 1-1 draw away to Real Sociedad in which they’d looked distinctly second best for almost the entire match, Marotta said that “We give credit to Real Sociedad for being a great team.”
“Particularly playing at home, they’re aggressive and they have great technical ability,” he said of La Real.
Marotta noted that “The opponent caused us a lot of issues.”
“And Inzaghi rotated the squad, he played some players who had never played together,” the CEO noted.
“The reaction that the team showed to take home a result should be seen as a positive,” Marotta argued. “That’s the aspect that we should highlight.”
Inter CEO On Serie A Title Race
And of the Serie A title race, Marotta said that “The Scudetto is often the prerogative of the same few teams.”
He named “Milan, Juve, Napoli, Atalanta, Roma, Lazio.”
“Usually there is a winner among thse teams,” he said. Right now, Inter are leading the way with a flying start to the campaign, although Marotta did not name his team as favourites.
“I ‘ve also noticed great improvements from Fiorentina. “But we’ll limit ourselves to those teams.”
