Inter want to solve defensive concerns signing either Lindelof or Marquinhos

• 18 nov 2016

Inter need to get some defensive reinforcement and want to sign a strong partner for Joao Miranda who is Inter’s undisputed defensive leader. Jaison Murillo had a stunning start to the season last term but has been struggling to live to his potential of late and the nerazzurri could decide to sell him at the end of the 2016-17 campaign.

The Serie A giants have two major defensive targets: the first one is Benfica star Viktor Lidelof who is also known to be a target of Manchester United, Chelsea and Juventus. The Sweden centre-back is available for any club willing to match his € 30 million release clause. The Portuguese side are not open to negotiate a lower transfer fee.

Piero Ausilio’s dream, however, is not the 22-year-old defender, but PSG star Marquinhos. The Brazilian centre-back is one of Ausilio’s favourite players and Inter’s director of sport is ready to enter the race to sign the former AS Roma defender now that new contract talks with PSG are stalling.

Inter would be open to match Marquinho’s salary requests, but PSG do not want to sell one of their best players and are going to make an offer to extend the player’s stay at the Parc des Princes beyond 2019 which is when Marquinhos’ current deal expires.

Pasquale Guarro, translated by Lorenzo Bettoni