Inter Milan Accelerates Five Sales in Pursuit of August Reinforcements: The Hunt for "Mr. X" Could Bolster Two Key Positions

As the summer transfer window enters August, it marks the halfway point of the season's player market. For several consecutive seasons, Inter Milan's transfer strategy has followed a similar pattern: sell players in July to recoup funds and then make key signings in August to strengthen the squad. For instance, last season, Inter completed the sales of Marcelo Brozović and André Onana by the end of July, followed by the acquisitions of Carlos Augusto, Marko Arnautović, Benjamin Pavard, and Davy Klaassen in mid to late August.

This summer, however, presents a more complex scenario for Inter. Unlike previous seasons, there is no urgent need to sell core players. Instead, the club hopes to generate funds by offloading fringe and loaned-out players—a task that has historically been challenging for Inter. Additionally, early moves to secure free transfers for Mehdi Taremi and Piotr Zieliński have somewhat slowed down Inter's overall transfer activity compared to last season. Nevertheless, the entire transfer team is working diligently to secure at least one significant signing in August, with the identity of this "Mr. X" being the biggest intrigue of the month for Inter fans.

Prioritizing Five Key Outgoing Transfers

Sky Sports has highlighted that accelerating five specific outgoing transfers is currently the top priority for Inter's CEO Beppe Marotta and sporting director Piero Ausilio. These transfers include:

1. Valentín Carboni to Marseille: This deal involves a high loan fee with an option to buy for around €33-35 million, totaling approximately €40 million. Inter will retain a buy-back clause.

2. Lucien Agoumé to Sevilla: Inter initially demanded €8 million, but it appears they may have to settle for €5 million. The deal includes a 50% sell-on clause for future transfers.

3. Martín Satriano back to Ligue 1: Inter has agreed with Brest on a transfer fee of about €6 million, plus additional performance-based bonuses and a small sell-on percentage. The deal is pending the player's approval, who is reportedly seeking a salary increase.

4. Joaquín Correa: Both La Gazzetta dello Sport and Gianluca Di Marzio have indicated that Correa's departure is inevitable. Clubs like AEK Athens, River Plate, and an unnamed Saudi team have shown interest. Inter is determined to offload Correa, and if a transfer cannot be secured before the window closes, they may negotiate a contract termination.

5. Marko Arnautović: This situation is more complicated. Although Arnautović recently returned to training after an illness, his presence is not favored by fans. Di Marzio reported that Inter hopes to transfer him to the Turkish or Saudi leagues, but the player has repeatedly stated he does not wish to leave. Despite his relatively high amortization value (Inter activated his €8 million purchase option this year), the club's hierarchy, including President Steven Zhang and the fans, prefers to offload the high-earning veteran, even if it means incurring a loss.

Successfully completing these five transactions by mid to late August would provide Inter with some financial flexibility. While the total funds raised might not be substantial, it would be sufficient to facilitate at least one important signing to enhance the squad.

Potential Incoming Transfers

Inter's potential signings could occur in two key areas: the forward line and the defense. From June to late July, several media outlets have linked Inter with Gudmundsson, an Icelandic forward, indicating persistent interest from both the player and head coach Simone Inzaghi. Despite periods where a deal seemed distant, the continued pursuit suggests a strong desire to finalize this transfer, which would be a notable achievement given the challenges involved.

Defensively, Inter's scouting list includes long-term targets such as Jaka Bijol and Valon Zumberi. The asking prices for these players hover around €20 million. These defensive reinforcements are seen as strategic moves to bolster Inter's backline depth and quality.

Marotta's Promise and Fan Expectations

During a program on a video streaming platform, Beppe Marotta made a promise to the fans: “To be compared with great figures like Massimo Moratti and Steven Zhang, who have brought joy to Inter fans, is a great honor for me. I will do everything in my power to lead Inter to greater heights.”

Inter aims to surpass last season's achievements, targeting success in both the Serie A title race and a deeper run in the Champions League. The current squad is already regarded by many experts as a strong contender for the league title. However, the addition of a "Mr. X" in either the attacking or defensive department could provide the extra edge needed for a successful campaign.

Inter Milan's summer transfer window is at a critical juncture. The club is focused on completing five key outgoing transfers to generate funds for at least one significant signing in August. Whether this "Mr. X" strengthens the attack or the defense, their arrival could be crucial for Inter's ambitions in the upcoming season. With Marotta and Ausilio working tirelessly behind the scenes, Inter fans remain hopeful that the club will make the necessary moves to compete at the highest level.