Inter Milan are enduring a mixed start to their Serie A title defense which could be a result of their relatively uninspiring business in the transfer market during the summer.
Davide Frattesi, Carlos Augusto, and Marko Arnautovic all joined on permanent deals, but they’re not fresh recruits, having spent the previous season on loan with the Nerazzurri.
Inter also signed goalkeeper Josep Martinez for €13.5 million from Genoa, while striker Mehdi Taremi and midfielder Piotr Zielinski joined the club on free transfers from Porto and Napoli, respectively.
However, none of the players have hit the ground running and next summer could be crucial for Inter as they’ll need to address several issues across the squad.
The reigning champions have had to rely primarily on the free agent market due to their financial situation, and they will be looking to continue that trend.
However, with the squad ageing rapidly and several players in the final year of their contracts, the Nerazzurri may have to loosen their purse strings to improve things.
With that in mind, we have identified three players Inter should target next summer to ensure they continue challenging for silverware across all fronts.
Nathan Collins – Brentford
Inter Milan must prioritize signing a new centre-back next summer, especially with Francesco Acerbi and Stefan de Vrij approaching the twilight of their careers.
Acerbi and De Vrij are key players but they are in the final year of their contracts, so Inter must start considering long-term replacements.
There are plenty of options on the transfer market, but Brentford’s Nathan Collins could be a remarkable addition to Inzaghi’s squad next summer.
The Nerazzurri have not had an Irish player in their squad since Robbie Keane over two decades ago, but Collins would be the perfect replacement for Acerbi or De Vrij.
The Irishman has established himself as one of the finest defenders in the Premier League, and his profile fits Simeone Inzaghi’s tactical set-up like a glove.
He is aerially dominant and equally difficult to get past on the ground. He would slot in seamlessly into the heart of Inzaghi’s back three.
As one of the Republic of Ireland’s finest defenders, Collins’ potential move to Inter would be met with excitement in his homeland, especially within the betting community.
Irish punters will pay more attention to the Nerazzurri if Collins signed for them, and they would become popular picks on the best betting apps in Ireland.
Brentford would demand a premium fee given that the Irishman still has a long-term contract, but signing Collins would significantly strengthen Inter’s title charge next season.
Jeremie Frimpong – Bayer Leverkusen
Bayer Leverkusen wing-back Jeremie Frimpong has become one of the most sought-after players in Europe after playing a crucial role in the club’s historic Bundesliga triumph last season.
The Netherlands international finished the season as one of the most prolific defenders on the continent, bagging 14 goals and 12 assists in 47 appearances across all competitions.
He will likely be the subject of a bidding war next summer, and Inter Milan should be one of the clubs vying to secure his services.
Denzel Dumfries has long been linked with a move away from Inter, with the Premier League previously touted as his next landing spot, but nothing has materialized yet.
However, the Dutchman is in the final year of his contract at the San Siro and there haven’t been any talks of an extension, meaning he’ll be free to negotiate terms with other clubs from January.
Losing Dumfries would undoubtedly be a huge blow for Inter, but signing Frimpong as a replacement would be a massive coup.
Andrey Santos – Chelsea
Inter need more depth in defensive midfield. Hakan Calhanoglou has held down the fort since Marcelo Brozovic’s departure, effectively acting as a deep-lying playmaker.
However, the Nerazzurri need to add a quality player who can challenge the Turkish midfield maestro, and Andrey Santos ticks that box.
Since joining Chelsea from Vasco da Gama in January 2023, Santos has struggled to break into the first team and has spent most of his time on loan.
Many consider the 20-year-old as one of the brightest talents to emerge from Brazil and he is turning heads with his exceptional performances for RC Strasbourg this season.
It remains to be seen if he is considered a part of Chelsea’s long-term project at Stamford Bridge, particularly with the number of midfielders on their books.
A move to Inter could be appealing for Santos, who would provide strong competition for Calhanoglou at the base of Inter’s midfield.