Sitting second in the league table after winning the league the year before never feels nice. To win a coveted 19th Scudetto, putting Internazionale ahead of city rivals AC Milan, felt incredible. Yet to give up the 19th title back to Milan – who now also have 19 after winning the 2021-22 Serie A title – feels immensely painful. Inter, then, are in a period of rebuilding. This summer is expected to see at least one star sold, with one of Alessandro Bastoni, Milan Skriniar, and/or Lautaro Martinez expected to be sold.
It will also be a summer of change, with many of the veteran role players being asked to leave the club as well. Two names who are definitely out the door are Chilean veteran pairing Alexis Sanchez and Arturo Vidal. Both players are expected to pack their bags and move on.
Sanchez is not yet sure where he will end up, but it looks like Vidal will move back to South America. Brazilian giants Flamengo are keen to do a deal to bring him in, and given the player has posed with a Fla shirt in the past this could be possible. Sanchez could return to his home continent, too, but reports suggest a move to France with Olympique Marseille – pairing up with former international coach Jorge Sampaoli – is possible, too.
Inter are keen to begin an important rebuild and put together a team that could stay together for the long-term. For all of the success of the Antonio Conte era, most fans felt many of the signings were purely for the short-term reign that Conte stuck around for.
A new project will begin this summer, and a few of the old guard will be moved on. Edin Dzeko could leave, too, with the Bosnian enduring a barren run to end what was an otherwise promising year in Milan.
Young players expected to progress into first-team
Coach Simone Inzaghi was seen leaving a meeting with the Inter hierarchy on Tuesday, and he looked less than impressed. Having left Lazio due to the constant exits of his star players, the coach hoped a move to the Nerazzurri would mean less star sales and more squad building. Despite having his team as the top scorers in the Italian game, Inter fell short domestically and in Europe.
This could see the club look to begin anew with several younger players likely to arrive. The team is believed to be keen on a deal for Sassuolo duo Gianluca Scammaca and Giacomo Raspadori. Doing a deal for both, though, could prove troublesome.
Finances are tight, and sales are needed to balance the books as much as make money available for new hires. For coach Inzaghi and Inter fans, this could be a challenging summer that might see some big names sold on.
The smart arrival of Andre Onana is a wise deal, a free transfer for a top-class goalkeeper to give Samir Handanovic proper competition. To build on their cup winning success and title challenge this year, Inter will need to find similar value in a challenging mercato which will be about sales as much as signings.
