FC Internazionale Transfer News

Every close season inevitably brings another flurry of big names being linked with a move to the San Siro. But, unlike most clubs, a lot of the circulating rumours are prompted, as both club president Massimo Moratti and manager Jose Mourinho have set a precident of being very open about transfer targets. And whilst Inter are known as the big spenders of Serie A, there are never more than a few transfers that actually materialise.

This season could be different, though, as the Nerazzurri prepare to mount a serious challenge in the Champions League, something that has gone amiss in recent years, and turned out to be the downfall of Roberto Mancini. Mourinho knows how to spend money, as he showed during his time at Chelsea, and should be looking to revitalise an aging squad with new blood; he has already kick started a busy summer of transfers by sealing the services of Genoa pair Diego Milito and Thiago Motta.

The opening weeks of the transfer window have brought with them rumours of some major deals, one of which involves Barcelona’s Samuel Eto’o. Real Madrid’s spending would have alarm bells ringing in the ears of Barca officials, and they will be looking to compete once again next campaign. The Spanish club had great success last season with Eto’o the figurehead of an unstoppable front three, but have been linked with a move for Inter’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

The enormous Swede is highly regarded in Milan, as one of the best players in the world, and has attracted a lot of attention. Inter have, until now, been reluctant to part with his services, but the possibility of Samuel Eto’o being involved in any deal would definitely make them consider selling. Reports suggest talks have already taken place between the two clubs regarding the Cameroonian, a player who Mourinho expressed admiration of whilst at the helm at Stamford Bridge, and the Italians are thought to be ahead of Manchester City in the race for the striker’s sought after signature. Eto’o has a mesmerising scoring record since his move to the Nou Camp in 2004, scoring 108 goals in 145 games, and is used to playing in a three-pronged attack – a favorite of Mourinho’s.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has become something of a fans’ favourite at Inter since his switch from Juventus when they were relegated in 2006. The Swedish international has scored 57 goals in the 88 times he has taken to the field for il Biscione. However, many corners of the media outside of Italian football have been unimpressed with his failure to make a huge impression in the Champions League. Although his European goalscoring record begs to differ, as he has always been high up on the top scorers’ chart in the last three years despite Inter failing to progress further than the quarter-finals. Ibrahimovic would be a huge miss, but the arrival of Eto’o might give the side a new dimension and style of play, more suited to having the forwards feed off through balls from the midfield.

   

Champions League winner Eto’o would give Inter some pace and power up front, but Ibra would only be allowed to leave if a replacement is found

Eto’o isn’t the only player being targetted by Mourinho, with the possibility of coming as part of a swap deal. In January, the former Porto manager declared an interest in Tottenham midfielder Jermaine Jenas, and Sulley Muntari was linked with a reunion with Harry Redknapp as part of the deal. And with the close season upon us, rumours of the transfer have returned.

Jenas was considered one of the hottest prospects in English football as he was building as reputation at Newcastle United, and in 2005, secured a move to North London with Tottenham Hotspur. Known as a box-to-box midfielder, Jenas has appeared for the English national team on 20 occasions, scoring the first goal of Fabio Capello’s still infant reign as England boss. The Spurs player recently commented that he would have some interest if the Nerazzurri were to table an offer, and Harry Redknapp could well be willing to let him go as he looks to rebuild his squad once more, after saying he will most probably have to sell to buy.

Sulley Ali Muntari joined the club in the summer, becoming Jose Mourinho’s first signing as Inter Milan boss, when he completed his transfer from Portsmouth for around £5m more than the English club signed him for just the previous summer. If the Ghanaian were to leave the San Siro, it would only be because of the manager’s desire to improve his midfield’s creativity. Spurs boss Redknapp would be taking no risks in bringing Muntari to White Hart Lane. The pair worked together during the midfielder’s brief stint with Pompey, and Redknapp was very reluctant to part company with part of an extremely strong and powerful midfield. Maybe Mourinho’s thinking behind possibly letting Muntari go is Cambiasso – a world-class midfielder who can provide similar bite, and has been for many years.

   

The January transfer that never was – Mourinho could finally get his man

Mourinho has continuously been linked with a return to England. Not to manage, but to acquire a few new additions to his squad that many regard as a long way off competing on the European front. Robin van Persie has been linked with a switch to the San Siro, as the club look to fill the void that Ricardo Quaresma failed to fill following his big money move last season. Talks regarding a contract extension at the Emirates have not been progressing as Arsene Wenger would have liked, with the Dutchman’s current deal just two years away from expiring. The Arsenal striker has always promised so much, yet injury has prevented him from making as big an impact as previous Dutch strikers to grace the Premier League, such as Dennis Bergkamp and Ruud van Nistelrooy. Van Persie would provide another source of goals, and bring a proven European record, and could fit into a 4-4-2, 4-3-3 or 4-3-1-2 formation.

The Nerazzurri boss has also had reports of a trip up north with Massimo Moratti’s cheque book. Manchester City’s Elano is reportedly on his way to Italy. Elano made a huge impact playing under Sven Goran Eriksson, but had a rift with Mark Hughes due to lack of first team opportunities. Which pretty much sums up the unfortunate decline of Italian football, with Serie A’s major clubs bringing in the Premier League’s fringe players. However the Brazilian can feel slightly hard done by as, with 32 national caps under his belt, he is still a world class playmaker who would walk into eight out of ten Champions League sides. A key element to any proposed deal could be Inter’s current Brazilian contingent. Elano has already expressed his admiration for Jose Mourinho, and would possibly slot into a position as one of three central midfielders and would compliment both Esteban Cambiasso and Javier Zanetti’s ability and style of play.

  

Mourinho almost certain to return to England to spend a bit of money

No matter where Mourinho goes until the day he dies (possibly longer), though, he will always be linked with acquiring the services of several Chelsea players. Although this summer’s reported targets differ from those of this time last year – Ricardo Carvalho and Deco are the players now thought to be keen on securing moves to Italy. Just what Inter need, eh? A pair of 31-year-olds would be in trouble of being deemed too inexperienced to play in Serie A.

Carvalho was one of Jose’s first signings after being unveiled as Chelsea boss in 2004, after the pair spent two years together at Porto. What some might call a ‘footballing defender’, Carvalho won over many corners of the media and fans alike with some solid defending, despite the eyebrows raised over his eccentrics and the air of mistakes that he expelled. The Portugese centre-half has struggled since the departure of the man who brought him to Stamford Bridge, though, and failed to regain a regular place after returning from injury last season.

Carvalho was recently quoted as saying he would like to be coached by Mourinho again, and, as the Nerazzurri look for another central defender, both parties could be interested in negotiating a transfer. Carvalho had hitherto remained content at Stamford bridge despite Chelsea’s constant change of manager, but now finds himself third in the pecking order behind John Terry and Alex. But what worries me is this: Walter Samuel, 31, Ivan Cordoba, 32, and Marco Materazzi, 35, will all need replacing in the not too distant future. If Carvalho is to be signed, he will juts fall straight into the same category.

Deco is another player looking to move away from Stamford Bridge, alerting Massimo Moratti’s club. Mourinhomadeit his aim to bring the Brazilian-born midfielder to Chelsea, but it wasn’t until the arrival of Luis Felipe Scolari took to the helm that a deal was secured. The attacking midfielder would slot into a similar role as Elano, with Dejan Stankovic likely to suffer as a consequence. He would provide similar qualities as Elano, but again is past his prime. Deco started the season with the kind of form he was showing during his time at Porto, with some fantastic performances and goals to boot. Although yet another change in management proved to be his downfall, as he found himself left out of the side more and more. A player of Deco’s type wouldn’t go amiss, but I will never tire of raising the age issue.

  

The wacky professor and Deco could be reunited with their old boss

No matter how much money is pumped into the squad, some money does have to be recouped for not just financial, but also morale issues. If I am correct, then never in the history of Inter has there been so many players going for so little money in so little time. Expect most of the deadwood to be cleared out, and there may even be a few players going for a bit of money.

Luis Jimenez is one player reportedly on his way, for around £10-15 million. He impressed during his first season whilst on loan at Inter, scoring on both his debut, and his full debut. But since signing on a co-ownership deal, he has struggled to cement a regular place in the team. Under Mourinho he has only played on six occasions, and has been labelled as one of many that the club would be willing to let go. West Ham and Spurs are said to be interested in the Chilean, and if they both make similar bids, it could go down to the player’s preference. Due to his lack of games last season, Jimenez wouldn’t be too much of a miss, but it seems incomprehensible to, with the Nerazzurri squad, replace a 24-year-old with a very similar 31-year-old.

Patrick Viera should also be allowed to leave, following the confirmation of interest from Lyon. The former Arsenal captain has had an injury-riddled three years at Inter, and his frequent absence has caused Jose Mourinho to consider other options higher than the Frenchman. Lyon are looking around for players to add to their squad to make them more competitive in Europe next season, and in Ligue 1 after failing to win the title for the first time in ten years. Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas said, “Patrick has this charisma that can create the conditions for Lyon to be more ambitious. For this reason, he is one of the players who can interest Lyon.”

  

Several players will be shown the exit door this window

Many more players should also be on their way out, such as Olivier Dacourt and Nelson Rivas. Whatever happens, though, it should be an eventful three months at the San Siro. A window where Massimo Moratti will again fund the manager’s desires. a few new additions are certainly needed, though, with the club never really posing a threat in Europe since the continent’s elite competition became the Champions League. The problem with Inter’s squad is too many average players, and Jose should be looking to strengthen the squad with some top players.