The potential arrival of João Cancelo could force Inter Milan to make a difficult choice in their UEFA squad registration, with Matteo Darmian emerging as the main risk.

As highlighted by Corriere dello Sport, any January signing automatically requires an exclusion from the updated UEFA list for the Champions League.

At the start of the season, Cristian Chivu managed the situation by leaving out Tomas Palacios, but the scenario would be very different if Cancelo were added mid-season.

According to the report, Cancelo’s arrival would almost certainly “push out another Nerazzurro” from the European list.

Darmian Faces Champions League Exclusion As Inter Close In On Cancelo Deal

Matteo Darmian Inter Milan
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – JUNE 24: Matteo Darmian of FC Internazionale faces the media during the Training/Press Conference ahead of their FIFA Club World Cup 2025 match between FC Internazionale Milano and CA River Plate at Virginia Mason Athletic Center on June 24, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images)

At present, the most plausible candidate is Matteo Darmian.

The former Manchester United defender has been sidelined since mid-October with a muscular issue.

Indeed, he has yet to return to full availability, making him the easiest exclusion from a regulatory standpoint.

That said, the newspaper stresses that the picture could change quickly.

Any outgoing transfer in January would reopen the equation and potentially protect Darmian’s place.

Much will therefore depend on how Inter’s market evolves alongside the Cancelo talks.

For now, the club are weighing their options carefully, aware that a high-profile arrival could carry consequences beyond the pitch.