Inter Milan are preparing for significant changes in defence next summer, with three long-serving veterans increasingly expected to leave at the end of the season.
According to Tuttosport, the club is moving toward a clear generational shift, one aligned with Oaktree’s long-term strategy.
Therefore, several expiring contracts are unlikely to be renewed.
The futures of Francesco Acerbi, Stefan De Vrij and Matteo Darmian are now firmly in the spotlight.
All three are out of contract in June 2026, but the club must take a position this summer to avoid losing players without replacements in place.
Inter Milan Look Beyond Ageing Stars Acerbi, Darmian & De Vrij
Age is a key factor: Acerbi will turn 38 in February, De Vrij will be 34, and Darmian will be 36 in December.
The report suggests that Inter’s position is leaning toward letting the trio depart.
Therefore, marking the end of a cycle for a defensive core that has been central to the club’s success in recent years.
Oaktree have already signalled their intention to reduce the average age of the squad, and Inter have been scouting aggressively for centre-backs who fit the next phase of the project.
In addition to these three, Diouf and Henrique should also leave. I am not sure if Mikhi will stay, he’s 37 or something, so I guess this is his final season with us. It’s also unclear whether Hakhan will stay or leave, there was lots of talk of him leaving this past summer, so he might ultimately leave next summer, everything is possible when it comes to him. All in all, it might definitely be many more departures than suggested in this article
You forgot mikhitaryan also. Haleluya this is great news. New fresh younger, hungrier blood we need indeed.
Finally we are going the right direction. We were wasting wages on these guys when we could have saved wages to offer for our new purchases or players we are offering a better contract.
those trio don’t eat up wages lmao. you always comment like moron, mate. frattesi should be the one that suits your nonsense. stefan and acerbi are still doing decent than frattesi and their wage is quite low compare to the rest of players who provide and give nothing to the team. and you should know that you’re supporting Italian football team where hierarchy and senior matter so there are things need to be considered before cut them off. there were times when we dropped the average age to quite low and stayed in dark ages for long time.
Yeah, but no. Stef will stay. We need leaders on the bench too.
And if Darmian agrees to a sub role – he can stay too. After all Miki and Acerbi will probably leave. You cant just throw out 5 experienced players and expect to retain the grinta. I know Beppe is smarter than that.
Forza Inter
Sommer is leaving so we’ll need new n.1 on goal, considering Martinez is enigma. If by now he hasn’t take over starting place, it’ a pretty good guess he won’t be next season either. Better to sell him then and find some older Italian as 2nd gk to help with CL registration rules (Leali, Montipo, Falcone…).
Darmian is too slow as wingback and not good enough as cb anymore. Both Acerbi and De Vrij are slow if Chivu intends to continue with high pressing game with faster players. Bisseck has done much better at central position, but maybe board decides to sell him to some English club. Palacios not in plans, Dumfries insisted on release clause so it’s not a stretch if he also leaves (in my opinion too much limited one-dimensional player). Considering both Diouf and Henrique doesn’t get much minutes, it seems Chivu already crossed them out of his future plans. Frattesi was terrible as CM, low minutes so probably transfer on summer. Mhiki is going in retirement, Zielinski and Hakan are turning 32 by the end of the season, so maybe one of them stay, definitely not both. Thuram is entering his last 2 years of contract, so it will be last chance that Bepe gets huge amount of money for him, it won’t be allowed same situation as with Skriniar.
So out of this current 25-man squad there will be 6 definite outgoing transfers/retirement (Sommer, Darmian, Acerbi, Palacios, Mhiki, De Vrij), most likely will be 5 or 6 more sales to raise some money for summer transfers.
Hopefully Chivu manages to stay, grow and make a career here as Fergie did in Manchester.