Inter Milan are keepiung a close eye on Torino defender Alessandro Buongiorno as a potential replacement for Francesco Acerbi.
This according to Italian news outlet Calciomercato.com.
24-year-old defender Buongiorno has enjoyed a breakout couple of seasons for Torino.
Buongiorno came through the youth ranks of Torino.
And it has been in since Ivan Juric took over as head coach of the Granata that the Italian international has really become a fixture in his boyhood team.
Last season, Buongiorno made 34 appearances in Serie A. He was one of the pillars of Torino’s back three under former Hellas Verona and Genoa coach Juric.
And this time around, Buongiorno has also been starting regularly.
Buorngiorno’s form has not gone unnoticed by other clubs in Serie A.
Calciomercato confirm reports that Atalanta made an offer of €25 million to sign the 24-year-old during the most recent summer transfer window.
However, Buongiorno himself decided to reject this offer. The Italian made the decision to remain loyal to Torino.
And the Granata handed the 24-year-old a new contract extension. He signed a deal until the end of June 2028.
Meanwhile, Buongiorno’s form at club level has also earned him a spot in the Italy international setup.
Luciano Spalletti has regularly called the Granata defender up since taking over as Azzurri boss.
Buongiorno started against Ukraine in yesterday evening’s EURO 2024 qualifying draw. He helped the Azzurri keep a clean sheet an reach next summer’s tournament finals.
Inter Track Alessandro Buongiorno As Francesco Acerbi
Buongiorno decided to remain at Torino this summer in spite of the interest of Atalanta.
However, that certainly does not mean that the Italian international will stay at his current club forever.
Particularly not if his form continues in the manner that it has been doing.
According to Calciomercato. Inter are among the clubs who are keeping an eye on Buongiorno.
And specifically, the Nerazzurri would consider the Italian a target for the summer of 2025.
Inter’s main target for next summer is reportedly Lille defender Tiago Djalo. The Nerazzurri could have the chance to sign the Portuguese on a free transfer when his contract expires at the end of next June.
And the versatile Djalo could certainly beef up Inter’s defensive options.
But for the following summer, the priority for Inter could be to replace Acerbi.
The 35-year-old former Lazio and Sassuolo remains a stalwart presence for Inter, and for Italy. Acerbi started alongside Buongiorno in yesterday’s match against Ukraine.
But the fact remains that Acerbi is well into his thirties.
The veteran defender signed a contract until the end of June 2025 in the summer. That will take him until he is 37.
And so there is every chance that Inter could be aiming to replace Acerbi at the end of his current deal.
And in this event, the club are planning ahead already.
Atalanta defender Giorgio Scalvini has been one of the main names on Inter’s list. However, according to Calciomercato, Buongiorno has replaced Scalvini at the top of that shortlist.
