Despite Agent Visit, Inter Milan Uninterested in Dybala; Valuing Argentine Rising Star at €40M

The Euro 2024 tournament has captured the attention of football fans worldwide, but in the last 24 hours, the spotlight in the Inter Milan community has shifted to two Argentine players: Paulo Dybala and Valentin Carboni. The sudden visit of Dybala’s agent, Giacomo Petralito, to Inter’s headquarters has fueled speculations about Dybala’s potential move to the club. Meanwhile, Valentin Carboni’s recent performances have led Inter to raise his valuation significantly.

Dybala’s Potential Move to Inter Milan

Paulo Dybala, with over 57.8 million followers on Instagram, is a football icon. His fan base dwarfs the combined followership of Lautaro Martinez, Marcus Thuram, Mehdi Taremi, and Marko Arnautovic. The visit of his agent to Inter’s headquarters has reignited rumors of Dybala’s desire to join Inter, a move that has been speculated since the summer of 2022.

Back in 2022, when Dybala left Juventus, rumors of a free transfer to Inter were rampant. However, Inter’s focus was on bringing Romelu Lukaku back on loan, which left no room for Dybala. Subsequently, Dybala joined Roma, where he has made a significant impact with 34 goals and 18 assists in 77 appearances across all competitions over two seasons. Despite his impressive performances, Dybala’s absence from the UEFA Champions League has taken a toll on his international career. Since the Qatar World Cup, he has only made two substitute appearances for Argentina and was notably left out of the Copa America squad. This omission has left Dybala deeply disappointed.

“I feel I had a good season with 16 goals and 10 assists, and I was confident about making the squad. This exclusion is a heavy blow,” Dybala expressed. His desire to join a Champions League club is clear, yet Inter Milan appears uninterested.

Despite the agent’s visit, key Inter officials Beppe Marotta and Piero Ausilio were notably absent, indicating the club’s stance. Renowned journalist Gianluca Di Marzio confirmed that Inter is not pursuing Dybala due to cost concerns. Even in his contract year, acquiring Dybala would require a significant transfer fee. His contract includes a €12 million release clause, but it only applies to clubs outside of Italy. Additionally, Dybala’s salary, including bonuses, is €6 million net per year, which is considered high.

The 2022 decision not to sign Dybala was partly due to Inter’s coach, Simone Inzaghi, being wary of injury-prone players. The club has struggled with injuries to players like Stefano Sensi and Joaquin Correa. Di Marzio concludes that despite the agent’s visit, the rumors of Dybala joining Inter are unfounded.

Valentin Carboni: Inter’s Rising Star

While Dybala’s future with Inter seems unlikely, another Argentine has become the focus of the Inter community: Valentin Carboni. The young star recently earned praise for his performances with the Argentina national team, including a crucial penalty that garnered admiration from teammates, coaches, and fans alike.

Gazzetta dello Sport recently highlighted the growing interest in Carboni, noting that Inter has raised his valuation to €35-40 million. This increase reflects Inter’s intention to retain the young talent. Just a few weeks ago, reports suggested a valuation of €30 million. The revised figure indicates a stronger desire to keep Carboni, reducing the likelihood of his departure this summer.

Inter has a few strategies in mind for Carboni’s future. One option is a straightforward loan to ensure he gets regular playing time. Another option is a deal similar to the one involving young talent Franco Carboni, Valentin’s brother, where Inter retains a buy-back clause after selling the player to Bologna. This approach allows Inter to maintain control over Valentin’s future.

Di Marzio provides a more conservative estimate, suggesting Inter values Carboni at around €25 million. He recalls Fiorentina’s €18-20 million offer last winter, which Inter rejected. Whether a higher offer will come this summer remains to be seen, but Di Marzio believes it’s unlikely.

Despite the uncertainty about his future club, Valentin Carboni remains optimistic and focused on his career. He recently expressed his excitement about representing Argentina in the Copa America on social media: “I’m thrilled to have the experience of playing for Argentina in such a prestigious tournament!”

Inter’s delay in finalizing Carboni’s future aims to avoid distracting the young star during the tournament. His performance in the Copa America could significantly influence his career trajectory and value.

The contrasting futures of Paulo Dybala and Valentin Carboni highlight Inter Milan’s strategic priorities. While Dybala’s high cost and injury history make him a less attractive option, Carboni’s potential and recent performances have significantly increased his value. Inter’s focus on retaining and developing young talent like Carboni aligns with their long-term vision, ensuring the club remains competitive on both domestic and international stages. As the summer transfer window progresses, Inter’s decisions will reflect their commitment to building a strong, sustainable squad for the future.