Five Major Setbacks Disrupt Inter Milan’s Defensive Reinforcement: Inzaghi’s Final Demand to Define Summer Window Rating

With the signing of Carlos Augusto completed and medical tests underway for Marko Arnautović, Inter Milan’s summer transfer window is beginning to unfold. However, the atmosphere surrounding the club remains tinged with disappointment. Italian football analyst Gianluca Di Marzio summed it up best: “It’s not that Arnautović is a bad player; it’s that we expected more.”

The return of Arnautović to Inter, 13 years after his initial stint, breaks two long-standing principles within the club’s transfer strategy. Firstly, paying a transfer fee for a player over 33 years old, even from a boardroom perspective, is a bitter pill to swallow. Secondly, Inter has typically prioritized "investment" signings over "functional" ones. However, due to internal disagreements and budget constraints, the club opted for Arnautović, a clear compromise and an acknowledgment of the limited financial resources available this summer.

While Arnautović addresses Inter’s need for attacking depth, their most urgent requirement remains unresolved: the acquisition of a central defender to replace Milan Škriniar, who departed for Paris Saint-Germain. Despite early attempts to strengthen this position, a series of five major setbacks has delayed the signing of a new center-back, leaving head coach Simone Inzaghi increasingly concerned as the new season approaches.

Early Setbacks: Failed Deals for Nacho and Azpilicueta

The first two setbacks occurred early in the window, with failed moves for Nacho Fernández and César Azpilicueta. Nacho ultimately extended his contract with Real Madrid, while Azpilicueta’s transfer collapsed at the eleventh hour. The Spanish defender had reached a verbal agreement with Inter, but Atlético Madrid swooped in with a last-minute offer. Prioritizing his family’s wishes, Azpilicueta opted to remain in Spain, leaving Inter scrambling for alternatives.

Onana’s Protracted Transfer

The third setback was the delayed sale of goalkeeper André Onana to Manchester United. Operating under a strict “sell before buying” policy, Inter needed the funds from Onana’s transfer to finance new signings. However, negotiations dragged on for nearly a month, stalling Inter’s efforts to secure other targets. The prolonged wait forced the Nerazzurri to miss out on several opportunities, as other clubs completed deals for players Inter had been monitoring.

This delay significantly hampered Inter's ability to act swiftly in the market. As one source close to the club described, "Every day we waited for the Onana deal to close was a day lost in the market, where timing is everything."

Fresh Complications: Timber’s Injury and Demiral’s Departure

As the window progressed, two new complications arose, further narrowing Inter’s options for a defensive reinforcement.

The first involved Jurrien Timber, Arsenal’s versatile defender, who suffered a knee injury just weeks into the Premier League season. While Inter had been monitoring Arsenal’s Japanese international Takehiro Tomiyasu as a potential target, Timber’s injury shifted Arsenal’s priorities. Reports from Italian transfer expert Matteo Moretto suggest that Arsenal is now reluctant to let Tomiyasu leave, especially given Timber's uncertain recovery timeline.

The second complication came from Merih Demiral, who had been a top candidate for Inter’s defense. The Turkish center-back, previously open to a move to the San Siro, received a lucrative offer from a Saudi Pro League club. Unable to match the financial terms offered by the Saudi side, Inter lost another key target.

Defensive Concerns Mounting for Inzaghi

Inter's defensive frailties were evident throughout their preseason matches. In four friendlies, the team failed to keep a clean sheet, conceding three goals to RB Salzburg and two to Albanian club Egnatia. The absence of key defender Francesco Acerbi, who was sidelined due to fitness issues, exposed the lack of depth and cohesion in Inter’s backline.

The preseason defensive struggles have not gone unnoticed by Inzaghi. According to reports from La Gazzetta dello Sport, the coach has expressed significant concerns about the team’s defensive capabilities heading into the new season. Inzaghi has reportedly made it clear to the club’s management that signing a center-back is not a luxury but a necessity.

Sky Italia’s Controversial Report: "The Best Solution May Be Internal"

A recent report from Sky Italia sparked controversy by suggesting that Inter may forgo signing a new defender altogether. The report proposed that Carlos Augusto’s arrival could allow Federico Dimarco to transition into a left-sided center-back role, while Alessandro Bastoni could shift positions within the backline. Additionally, it suggested relying on Stefano Sensi to cover midfield gaps, rather than pursuing Lazar Samardžić, whose transfer talks have stalled.

This internal solution may offer a temporary fix, but it raises questions about the team’s long-term stability and depth. Inter’s preseason defensive woes have already highlighted the risks of relying on makeshift solutions in a season where the club aims to compete on multiple fronts, including a deep run in the UEFA Champions League.

Inzaghi’s Final Plea: One More Signing to Define the Summer

Inzaghi’s message to the club’s hierarchy is clear: the team cannot afford to enter the season without reinforcing the defense. While names like Chelsea’s Trevoh Chalobah remain on Inter’s radar, the challenges of negotiating late in the window are significant. Clubs are now less willing to part with key players as they prepare for their own campaigns, and Inter’s limited budget further complicates matters.

The final days of the transfer window will be crucial in determining the overall assessment of Inter’s summer business. Despite some bright spots, including the acquisitions of Yann Sommer and Marcus Thuram, the inability to secure a top-tier center-back could leave a lasting blemish on the club’s summer activities.

As Inzaghi prepares for the challenges of the new season, the addition of a reliable central defender could be the difference between a successful campaign and one fraught with defensive vulnerabilities. The clock is ticking, and for Inter, the final signing may ultimately define not just their summer window but their prospects for the entire season.