Inter Milan are considering Udinese’s Jaka Bijol and Torino’s Perr Schuurs as possible replacements for defender Francesco Acerbi.
This according to today’s print edition of Turin-based newspaper Tuttosport, via FCInterNews. According to the report, the Nerazzurri can’t afford to pay the required hefty transfer fee for Alessandro Buongiorno.
In the immediate future, Acerbi will still have a place at Inter.
The 36-year-old has emerged from an alleged racial abuse scandal with a not guilty verdict, which means that he will not be suspended. Acerbi can play as soon as Monday’s match against Empoli.
However, there are still plenty of lingering doubts about Acerbi’s future at Inter past the end of the season.
This is also the case because of the former Lazio defender’s age and injury history.
Acerbi turned 36 earlier this year. And the veteran defender has missed a couple months with two different muscle injuries during the campaign so far.
Therefore, the Corriere report, Inter are definitely starting to think about how they might replace Acerbi in the long term.
Inter Eye Up Jaka Bijol & Perr Schuurs As Acerbi Replacements
Tuttosport report that Inter have a clear idea of the kind of profile that they want to replace Acerbi.
The Nerazzurri are seeking a defender with a similar style to the 36-year-old.
That means a player who is already used to playing in the centre of a back three defense. Physicality and man-marking ability would be key.
Torino defender Buongiorno would be an ideal target in this respect.
The 24-year-old Italian international has a very similar playing style to Acerbi, and has been one of the outstanding defenders in Serie A this season.
However, Buongiorno’s form has seen his price tag rise accordingly.
Therefore, Tuttosport anticipate, Inter would not be able to afford signing the Torino defender unless they first make a big sale.
But that doesn’t mean that the Nerazzurri wouldn’t sign a defender from Torino.
Inter could aim to sign former Ajax defender Schuurs for a fee of €25-30 million. That is likely about as low as the Granata would go, but the Dutchman’s knee injury this season could lower his valuation.
And Inter are also eyeing up Udinese defender Bijol, reports Tuttosport.
The 25-year-old is also a target for Roma, the newspaper notes.
