Inter Milan are keeping their midfield ranks intact despite interest from Man City, Bayern Munich, and Juventus in signing their key central areas.
This is highlighted in today’s print edition of Milan-based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, via FCInterNews.
In terms of balance and depth, the Gazzetta highlights, there is perhaps no stronger area in Inter’s squad than midfield.
The arrival of Piotr Zielinski on a free transfer from Napoli only emphasizes that.
The Polish international joins a midfield containing Nicolo Barella, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Hakan Calhanoglu, Davide Frattesi, and Kristjan Asllani.
Clearly, Inter will not lack for central options next season.
The signing of Zielinski looks to be an important move for next season. But just as significant if not moreso has been keeping the existing midfielders in place.
Inter Lock Down Midfield Despite Interest From Man City, Bayern & Juventus
Last summer, the Gazzetta note, Inter firmly rebuffed interest in signing Barella from Manchester City.
The Italian international would certainly be of interest to Europe’s biggest clubs were he to be available.
But Inter have gone to great lengths to clarify that that is not the case. Barella is staying where he is, having just committed his long-term future by signing a contract extension.
Meanwhile, Inter have also fended off interest in Calhanoglu from Bayern Munich this summer.
A lot of that had to do with the player himself making the decision to reject the German giants. Calhanoglu wants to stay at Inter, and the Nerazzurri have no intention of giving such a key player up.
Lastly, this summer Juventus have been sniffing around Frattesi, the Gazzetta notes.
But despite the fact that the former Sassuolo midfielder not having been a regular starter last season, Inter have made one thing abundantly clear. He is not for sale.
Inter do not want to dismantle any part of their well-stocked midfield.
