Revealed – Why Inter Milan Want To Offload Italy Veteran This Summer

Inter Milan are ready to offload defender Francesco Acerbi at the end of the season.

Today’s print edition of Milan-based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, via FCInter1908, report that age and injuries, and above all an alleged racism row have convinced the Nerazzurri to move on from the Italian international.

Acerbi is currently under contract with Inter until the end of June 2025.

Moreover, the Nerazzurri even have an option to extend the former Lazio and Sassuolo defender’s deal a further season.

However, it is looking unlikely that that will happen, according to the Gazzetta.

Why Inter Milan Are Ready To Offload Francesco Acerbi

One reason that Inter are thinking of moving on from Acerbi is the player’s age.

The veteran defender has not allowed the fact that he is in his mid-thirties slow him down yet. On the contrary, Acerbi has arguably had his two best seasons as a professional in the last two campaign with Inter.

But there is no hiding the fact that Acerbi turned 36 this year, and will turn 37 next.

So Inter are thinking about the future.

Moreover, there is the matter of Acerbi’s injuries this season.

The 36-year-old has suffered two calf injuries. These have put him out of action for around two months in total.

Inter do not feel certain that Acerbi will be a reliable option fitness-wise going forward.

And then there is the alleged racism scandal between Acerbi and Napoli’s Juan Jesus.

Had the investigation into the incident yielded a guilty verdict, then Acerbi would likely have already played his last match in an Inter shirt.

Acerbi would have faced a ten-match ban – ruling him out for the rest of the season. And then, there would have been little chance that Inter would have kept hold of the player.

But even as it is, the incident served as an unwelcome distraction from Inter’s perspective. And Acerbi’s handling of it was part of the reason, in the club’s view.

Inter’s directors felt that Acerbi’s comments – particularly immediately after the incident – were inappropriate and needlessly inflamed the controversy surrounding the incident.