Two champions to give Inter the definitive jump in quality declared Mancini at yesterday’s press-conference.
 

Two players in the notebook of Sporting Director Piero Ausilio remains Bayer Leverkusen winger Karim Bellarabi and Lazio midfielder Antonio Candreva. Both remain at arm’s length at the moment however, due to the €25 million asking price and for this reason, the nerazzurri remains alert to Mexican striker Carlos Vela who has a Spanish passport.
 

Nurtured in the youth ranks at Guadalajara, Vela was part of the Mexican Under 17 side that won the World Cup in 2005; he was also the tournament’s top goalscorer with five goals, one of which was the opening strike in the final against Brazil which the Mexican’s would go on to win 3-0. He then moved to England and spent the next seven years at Arsenal but in this period, due to bureaucratic problems, he was loaned out to Celta Vigo, Salamanca and Osasuna. He made 62 appearances for the Gunners, scoring 11 goals for the club. After another spell out on-loan at Real Sociedad, the Spanish club took him on a permanent deal for €12 million in 2012.  

2013-14 was his best season to date; netting 21 times with the club from San Sebastian. Used primarily as a winger, the 27-year-ols can also be utilised as an out and out striker. Currently under contract at Sociedad until 2018, a fee of around €15 million could bring him to Serie A. With a European spot guaranteed, Inter may hold the trump card as his current employers languish in 11th spot in La Liga. Vela is the new name that intrigues Ausilio; he remains a cheaper alternative to Bellarabi and Candreva.



Steve Mitchell @barafundler