Three sales to keep one. This is the strategy of Inter, which according to TuttoSport, would include the sales of Geoffrey Kondogbia, Joao Mario and Marcelo Brozovic in order to keep Rafinha. Two are no longer part of the squad, but they’re away on loans with options to buy and could return to Milan before being sold outright.
The French midfielder went to Valencia in the Summer with an option to buy of 25 million euros which needs to be exercised before May 31st. Over the season, he’s put in some exceptional performances and Valencia seem to be convinced and will mostly likely trigger their option. Combined with the fact that Kondogbia himself is said to be enjoying life back in Spain, it’s likely to all go through. The Nerazzurri will be disappointed that could not get a higher price, but initial loan payment of around 6 million, plus the savings on his salary, of 7 million per year (contract renewed before his departure to 2021), helped the 2017-18 balance sheet a lot and so in total, Inter are not losing too much.
Joao Mario went to West Ham also on loan without a obligation fee. Inter paid 40 million euros for him two Summers ago and will hope that he does well enough in England to at least get a minimum offer of 30 million euros, or more if he performs at the World Cup with Portugal, similarly to when he won the EUROs in 2016.
Finally, the Croatian, Brozovic has a release clause of 50 million euros, which is widely considered an unthinkable sum for anyone to pay for a player of his standard. However the Nerazzurri would also be willing to let him go, if he attracts enough interest in the World Cup to raise the price a little. Inter could settle for 20 million euros, depending hon his performances in Russia, combined with savings in budget of around 3 million for his salary.
In order to keep Rafinha, Inter will need 35 million euros (plus 3 million in bonuses) to trigger their right to redeem clause.
For once I am happy that Inter is looking at more technical players like Rafinha, Martinez Cancelo, Collido(Icardi-esque striker) who also have decent speed and touch and not stop the flow of the game. Hopefully no more one trick ponies and lumberjack players.
its disgusting that we don’t have 35m and supposedly our owners are rich fuck them for real
Inter need to let go more players to build a strong group of players.
Candreva and Ranocchia and Miranda and the three players mentioned, need to be sold in order to bring better players, add to this mix Icardi chance to leave and the possibility to replace Eder with a better striker.
A lot of work need to be done smartly, players like Nainggolan is must to assure stability in results and to be competitive next season, Suning can’t provide fund, so we should sale the flops and replaceable stars.
I can’t even recognize a good player that can help us without having a big sum of money to make respectful deals.
It was a mistake gambling on players that we desired before, Gabigol and Joa Mario, Seria A has its bad effects on the ones from abroad, only players from inside Seria A made the most successful run at Inter.
I’d say keep him and sell the rest. He’s done more with the few minutes he had than the 3 of them had all season.
While Rafinha remains an injury risk I think it’s easy to see he is pure quality and is a massive upgrade to our midfield. Assuming there is no major injury relapse until the end of the season Inter would be crazy not to sign him permanently.
While it would be great to get Kondogbia back as I think he would be suited to a more fluid style that we seem to be headed towards it seems that Valencia buying him for just 25mn is another no brainer.
Similarly Cancelo at the moment is probably not only the best choice for full-back at Inter but probably one of the best in that position in the league. While 35mn is a bit steep given where transfer fees are headed it would be in the right range if he can continue performing like this until the end of the season
So 70mn out and 25mn in means a hole of 45mn plus the gap from summer transfers which sets up back another 60mn or so so total net spend is over 100mn in the red if we want to confirm Rafinha and Cancelo tranafers.
From a FFP perspective the gap is actually a lot less given transfer fees are amortized over the life of the contract so only the losses/gains vs book value recognized in addition to wages and amortization of transfer fees. Plus I understand that we would be able to recognize 30mn or so if CL revenue from next year assuming we finish in the top four which would further reduce the FFP burden.
Accordingly, given the new restrictions on sports investments imposed by China I feel we will probably need to be mindful of net cash outlay than FFP.
Looking at sales think the best we can hope for here is 40-50mn from the sales of Brozovic and Joao Mario. I think should be sold, if for no other reason then to reduce the number of box to box midfielders at Inter with both Vecino and Galiardini, even if the latter has been primarily been played as a DM/BWM this season. Which brings up to my next point which is a need to add some defensive muscle to the midfield to not only help us win possession back but also give some protection to Rafinha and Borja on the ball. Strootman would be the ideal solution here but I also believe Sturaro despite his dip in form would be a good buy for such a role particularly as I expect him to come relatively cheap.
Higher up the field I think it may be time for Candreva to move on. Verdi is the obvious candidate here to replace him particularly given he can play on either wing or through the center and as such could still find his way into the starting eleven in the event Karamoh continues to impress. While I appreciate what Perisic brings to the team in both the attacking and defensive phase of the game I would think about sacrificing him if it would allow us to get our hands on Chiesa who would bring a completely different dimension to our attack. Plus while we officially deny it there is no doubt a growing divide between Icardi and Perisic.
Man this is a no-brainer. We have to keep Rafinha. He makes us so much better each time he steps on the pitch. Also think we should do everything to keep Cancelo.
Cancelo has been very good,i’d also like hum to stay he adopted to serie a very well indeed.
As for Rafinhai just hope he continues to perform like he did so far
unfortunately there is no way to keep both with our extra stingy owners, to keep one we have to sell 3 star, to get both we probably wound even have players left
LOL right! I think Suning should sell Inter to someone who doesn’t have their balls zip tied by their government. It’s already starting to hurt us.