Inter Milan are in financial peril and this could see key players sold while Liverpool are keeping a close watch, with our sources being told that the coming days should bring developments.
We already reported exclusively on the Reds’ interest in Nicolo Barella and following the appointment of Simone Inzaghi as the club’s new manager, it remains to be seen what happens with what sources close to the matter have jokingly referred to as a ‘yard sale.’
Romelu Lukaku has confirmed his desire to stay at Inter but Liverpool are on ‘high alert’ as the Serie A champions consider who they could and should sell to make financial gains.
Thes are in financial peril and as Forbes has covered in-depth, player sales might be the best way for them to get back into the black.
Emmet Gates writes: “The club’s Chinese owners, Suning, have been hit hard by the global pandemic, and sold 23% of the company’s shares to state-owned investors in a bid to improve its ‘equity structure’.
MILAN, ITALY – MAY 23: Coach Antonio Conte of FC Internazionale during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale Milano and Udinese Calcio at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on May 23, 2021 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Mattia Ozbot/Getty Images)
“Suning, who bought Inter in 2016 and have invested an estimated $845 million, have been actively seeking to sell the club, at best, or trying to sell a minority share of the club, at worst.
“According to a report from Bloomberg, Inter’s total debt now stands at around $602m, with the club posting 2019/20 revenues of $448m.”
Fabrizio Romano reported at the start of June that PSG are in talks with Inter over Achraf Hakimi.
While I wrote an article about how the rapid right-back could reinforce three positions at Anfield, he is not of interest to Jurgen Klopp even if the German does admire the player.
MILAN, ITALY – MAY 08: Achraf Hakimi of Internazionale during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and UC Sampdoria at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on May 08, 2021 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Jonathan Moscrop/Getty Images)
We’ve already covered Liverpool’s interest in Nicolo Barella and while we have no new info regarding their intentions, Anfield Central has been told that they are keeping a close eye on development at San Siro.
They’re also monitoring Lautaro Martinez and Roberto Gagliardini although the former is valued very highly by Inter and so will be difficult to sign even with their precarious finances.
The latter is an interesting name and not one that I would have expected Liverpool to be linked with but with Wijnaldum having left the club and for free, it’s understandable that they won’t want to spend too much to replace him.
MILAN, ITALY – MAY 8: Roberto Gagliardini of FC Internazionale celebrates with teammates after scoring his team’s first goal during the Italian Serie A match between Internazionale v Sampdoria at the San Siro on May 8, 2021 in Milan Italy. (Photo by Mattia Ozbot/Soccrates/Getty Images)
That said, Jurgen Klopp can do a lot better than a player that made just 14 starts during his side’s championship-winning season.
Aside from 20 days in isolation due to COVID-19, Gagliardini was fully fit which is an indication of how little his own manager, Antonio Conte thought of him and so if the Reds are going to sign an Inter Milan midfielder, it needs to be Barella in my opinion.
