Sabatini: “Inter are targeting very difficult objectives, We want to keep Perisic”

Inter Technical Coordinator Walter Sabatini spoke at a press conference from the pre season retreat of Brunico. Sabatini started out discussing his role: “My role is a very prestigious one and I have a lot of responsibility, I’m lucky, I always have been, and I accepted this role with pride. I know what we have to do and we’ll do it.”

Much has been made about fellow Serie A clubs activity in the mercato, none more so than rivals Milan. Sabatini gave his opinion on their dealings and revealed Inter’s plan: “We’re not looking at signings by other clubs, though I admire what Milan are doing. We’ll think about our own model though, our strategy is shared by the club, the staff and the Coach and we know what we need to do. Milan have decided to revolutionise their squad, Inter have taken another choice and the fans need to understand that. Hopefully they share in our choice. Last year Inter sent a signal that they could be competitive. We have strong players and with the coach we’ve decided to redefine the team, taking into consideration the signals the lads are giving right now. In the meantime we’ll work on integration, because the squad is strong and needs to be integrated.”

Sabatini then discussed Inter’s quietness on the mercato front: “It’s not all about fireworks. This is a moment in which dreams are born, but there’s the silent market too. Inter are targeting very difficult objectives, which are tied to the will of their clubs. I don’t have to calm anyone, Inter is a guarantee in itself. I can say this with knowledge of what’s going on, we’ll do the right things to ensure this team competes as a protagonist.”

Ivan Perisic was also spoken about amid a wealth of reports suggesting that he will depart Inter at some point during the summer: “Perisic is a player who our coach has asked us to keep. We’d do that, except we only want those with the right motivation. There’s strong interest from Manchester United, who know our ideas, so we’ll see what happens in the next few days. It’s a fact that Inter set the price of Inter players. Perisic is a great player for Inter, we want him to stay and the only way that won’t happen is if we get financial advantages to improve the team. In the meantime I hope that Perisic will maintain the behaviours required of him, because we want to forge the idea of Inter every day and Spalletti is a maestro in that regard. We need conviction and professionalism, and that’s not enough either. It will take faith and soul and our Coach will get that from everyone – including Perisic.”

The former Roma and Palermo Sporting Director then spoke in detail on a number of the names that have came in to links with the Nerazzurri.

Starting with Dalbert, Sabatini said: “We’ve tried to comply with a request for Nice that for the moment they don’t want to sell him, but then we want to sign him. We’re aiming for players who aren’t easy to get. Other deals can be completed in half a day, but you have to beware of that: if a deal is too easy then something isn’t right.”

Angel Di Maria was the next to be discussed by Sabatini: “We have to be sure that he’s right for Inter, he might not fit. Wage concerns should be taken into account by every club. I’m not talking about Di Maria’s ability, which is huge, but that doesn’t mean he’s the player Inter need, even if he’s a fantastic player. It could be that later I’ll change my mind and he’ll arrive, but I don’t think so.”

Sabatini then moved on to Alexis Sanchez and Arturo Vidal: “Sanchez isn’t a name on Inter’s shortlist, because we’re pragmatic and he can’t be an objective, not for the financial sacrifice Suning would have to make. Do I like Arturo Vidal? I like him very much! He and Nainggolan are different, but at a certain point, sure. I like Vidal, and we’ll try to understand if anything can be done. I think it’s very difficult though, I don’t think Bayern want to lose him. But denying that Vidal would be of great interest to Inter would be unrealistic. There’s no ongoing negotiation, but we wonder if there’s any chance and if there is then we’ll pursue it.”

Sabatini subsequently discussed Radja Nainggolan and the Belgian’s current situation: “Nainggolan is always a player I have in my head, he’s a great player. I think he’s a possibility for Inter, but being aware of the circumstances surrounding a possible transfer from Roma I think it’s impossible. He can still always be an objective though, Inter’s desire, I have no problem admitting that. Just the same though I can admit that it’ll be almost impossible, because Roma will hang on to him until the end. I’ve thought about it, because I’ve seen some discomfort between him and Roma, I’ve said that we’re available. We can’t start bullying though, because he belongs to Roma. But I don’t mind admitting I’d like to bring him here.”

Financial Fair Play was the next topic that Sabatini discussed: “We complied the first mandatory request by June 30th. Maybe Gardini will be more accurate than me. What should we do? I will answer in the coming days to this.”

The 62 year old also shared his opinion on the vice-Icardi front and was asked if Andrea Pinamonti could fill that role: “I hope that it is Pinamonti, Spalletti is impressed by the guy and it’s a good thing if our youth can play an important role.”

Sabatini concluded the lengthy interview, that saw him call a cigarette break midway through, talking about Yuto Nagatomo: “I would not hold him here [against his will], we’ll see what we can do for him, he deserves his space. How likely is he to stay? 50 or 60%. We like him, he is a great professional and will make his own assessments, too.”

Source: FCInterNews.it