Revealed – Key Obstacle For Inter Milan To Sign Ex Barcelona & Man United Striker

Wage demands could keep Inter Milan from signing striker Memphis Depay on a free transfer this summer.

This according to today’s print edition of Milan-based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, via FCInterNews. They note that the former Manchester United, Barcelona, and Atletico Madrid wants €5 million net per season.

Inter are considering whether to reinforce their attack over the last month of the transfer window.

The highest profile transfer links for the Nerazzurri have been to Genoa forward Albert Gudmundsson.

However, Inter are keeping all their options open.

A move for Gudmundsson or a player in a similar situation would necessitate a big investment.

Inter will have to make sales and move some pieces around if they’re to spend big on the Icelander. Marko Arnautovic would likely have to be on his way.

On the other hand, Inter could still go a different route.

The Nerazzurri may decide to keep Arnautovic and then seize an opportunity to sign a player at a lower cost.

Wages An Obstacle For Inter Milan To Sign Memphis Depay

A free transfer signing would be one possibility for Inter to sign a forward without needing to negotiate a big money deal for Gudmundsson.

These kinds of deals have become something of a specialty for the Nerazzurri.

This summer alone, Inter have brought in the likes of Mehdi Taremi and Piotr Zielinski without transfer fees.

Perhaps the biggest name attacker currently available out of contract is Depay.

The 30-year-old Dutch international’s contract with Atletico Madrid ran out at the end of last month. He is searching for a new club.

And Depay is on Inter’s radar as a player who could reinforce the attack without a transfer fee.

However, even if the Dutchman wouldn’t command a transfer fee he may still cost big in other ways.

The Gazzetta report that Depay is asking for €5 million net per season in wages.

That is more than Inter are paying either Taremi or Zielinski. And it is questionable whether they would ever agree terms that high with a player who would likely be behind Taremi in the pecking order.