Inter Milan could sign goalkeeper Emil Audero on a permanent basis as part of a swap deal with Sampdoria involving Sebastiano Esposito.
This according to Italian news outlet FCInterNews.
At the moment, Audero is only on loan at Inter from Sampdoria.
The 27-year-old joined the Nerazzurri during last summer transfer window on a season-long loan deal.
This loan deal contained a purchase option worth around €7 million. This non-mandatory option could become an obligation if certain conditions were to be met.
However, as FCIN notes, it is unlikely that this would be the case.
That is because Audero has barely featured for Inter.
The former Juventus keeper has started twice, once in the Champions League against Benfica, and once in the Coppa Italia against Bologna.
Audero has yet to play in Serie A. Former Bayern Munich keeper Yann Sommer has played every minute in the league so far.
Inter Could Make Yann Sommer Deal Permanent As Part Of Sebastiano Esposito Swap Deal
Despite the lack of playing time for Audero so far this season, Inter would not be averse to keeping him in the squad.
Audero has integrated well into the squad.
Moreover, as a backup keeper, Nerazzurri coach Simone Inzaghi trusts the 27-year-old to fill in in the event that Sommer is absent.
Audero has plenty of Serie A experience.
Therefore, Inter could still try to sign Audero on a permanent basis next summer.
However, the Nerazzurri would not necessarily want to pay the full €7 million fee.,
That is where striker Esposito could come in.
The Italy Under-21 player is currently at Sampdoria on loan for the season. The Blucerchiati have a purchase obligation worth €7 million on Esposito – but only in the event that they achieve promotion to Serie A.
At the moment, promotion looks difficult for Andrea Pirlo’s side.
However, Sampdoria could still want to keep Esposito in Liguria.
And that could lead to an arrangement between Inter and Sampdoria that would be mutually beneficial.
The two clubs could both keep the players who are currently on loan, signing them on a permanent basis.
And moreover, both clubs could register a handy capital gain as a result of the deals.