Inter Milan seriously considered the idea of a marquee signing last summer as Oaktree explored ways to boost the club’s profile beyond results on the pitch.

According to Calciomercato.com, the Nerazzurri ownership group discussed the possibility of adding a high-impact name capable of driving interest across multiple areas of the club.

The strategy focused on a player who could combine sporting quality with strong media appeal, complementing the work already done by Inter’s in-house media operations.

Inter Milan Considered Summer Move For Athletic Club Forward Nico Williams

Nico Williams Athletic Club
BILBAO, SPAIN – DECEMBER 10: Nico Williams of Athletic Club looks on during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD6 match between Athletic Club and Paris Saint-Germain at Estadio de San Mames on December 10, 2025 in Bilbao, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

Within that framework, Inter evaluated the profile of Nico Williams, the 2002-born attacker from Athletic Club.

The Spanish international matched many of the criteria Oaktree were seeking, offering elite-level performances, international exposure and significant room for technical and commercial growth.

Oaktree viewed Williams as a near-ideal profile and requested detailed projections on the overall investment.

After reviewing the financial weight of the operation, however, the ownership group decided not to proceed. The cost of the deal ultimately pushed Inter toward a more cautious approach.

As a result, the Williams option never advanced beyond the exploratory stage. It remained more of a strong idea than a concrete negotiation.

Still, the episode offers insight into Inter’s evolving transfer thinking.

The type of player considered, young, high-profile and already established at elite level, hints at the direction Oaktree could revisit in the future, should conditions align for a major signing.