Inter Milan Declines Croatian International's Self-Offer: What Can a $15 Million Signing of a Former Barça Player Bring?

Inter Milan's transfer strategy has been under the microscope recently, with many experts pointing out the club's reliance on strong relationships and connections in the football market. Key figures like Beppe Marotta, Piero Ausilio, and Dario Baccin have been noted for their ability to pull off seemingly magical transfers. However, these maneuvers often come down to leveraging good relationships, either with friendly clubs or influential agents. This approach helps Inter manage transactions that are financially feasible, utilizing methods like loan-to-buy deals, player exchange coupons, and long-term payment structures to mitigate immediate cash flow impact.

In their search for a second goalkeeper, Inter Milan has employed both strategies. They have been in contact with Genoa's Spanish goalkeeper Josep Martinez and Croatian international goalkeeper Dominik Kotarski. As it stands, Inter seems to favor Martinez, with the deal progressing rapidly.

Croatian Goalkeeper's Proposal

Recently, agent Federico Pastorello visited Inter's headquarters, sparking speculation about the future of some of his clients, such as Stefan de Vrij, Francesco Acerbi, and Mehdi Taremi. Pastorello clarified that while there is interest in de Vrij from Dutch clubs, the veteran wishes to remain at Inter. The primary purpose of his visit was to discuss Dominik Kotarski, a highly-rated young Croatian goalkeeper. "Inter has a preferred option already, but Kotarski could be a viable backup plan," Pastorello stated. Kotarski, born in February 2000, stands around 1.9 meters tall and currently plays in the Greek league. He made his debut for the Croatian national team in March and was included in the preliminary squad for the European Championship qualifiers, although he was ultimately not selected for the final 26-man roster.

Pastorello's comments confirm that Inter Milan has a primary target for their goalkeeper position. Reports from sources like Gianluca Di Marzio, Matteo Moretto, and Nicolò Schira indicate that Inter is very close to signing Genoa's Spanish goalkeeper Josep Martinez for a total fee of €13 million, with an additional €2 million in potential add-ons. The deal is expected to include player exchange coupons to reduce the immediate financial burden on Inter, with Martin Satriano being a likely candidate for the exchange.

Josep Martinez's Potential Impact

Inter Milan has informed Pastorello that their primary target is Genoa's goalkeeper. Negotiations between Inter and Genoa are progressing swiftly, with the deal likely to be finalized in the coming days. Possible player exchanges include Satriano, Cesare Casadei, or Franco Carboni. Inter is optimistic that they are close to securing Martinez.

Many fans on social media have questioned the wisdom of spending €15 million on a second-choice goalkeeper, especially given Inter's financial constraints and the team's needs in other positions like forward and center-back. However, if Inter can significantly reduce the cash outlay through player exchanges, the deal becomes more understandable.

Despite some doubts about Martinez's abilities—his save percentage last season was 67.2%, ranking him 14th among Serie A's starting goalkeepers and far below Yann Sommer's 80.8%—there are notable strengths in his game. According to OPTA data, Martinez's performance in goal-line saves over the past two years does not match up to elite keepers like Sommer, but he excels in other areas.

One of Martinez's key strengths is his aerial ability. He is highly effective at dealing with crosses and high balls, surpassing Sommer in this regard, partly due to his height advantage. Additionally, Martinez has a larger defensive range and strong footwork and passing skills. His training at La Masia, Barcelona's renowned academy, has influenced his playing style. Last season, he was Serie A's most active goalkeeper in terms of dribbles, and his defensive actions outside the penalty area were nearly three times those of Sommer, evoking memories of Andre Onana during the Qatar World Cup.

Martinez's passing ability is also impressive. Comparing the data, Sommer attempted 556 mid-range passes (15-30 meters) last season, with a 98.6% success rate, while Martinez made 513 such passes with a 97.1% success rate. Considering Genoa's overall strength, tactical cohesion, and the ability of his teammates, Martinez's passing success rate is remarkable, underscoring his skill in this area.

Inter's Goalkeeping Success and Martínez's Fit

Over the years, Inter Milan has had a good track record with goalkeepers and has successfully brought in former Barça players. Martinez's potential signing aligns with this trend, suggesting another potentially shrewd acquisition by the club. His aerial prowess, expansive defensive range, and exceptional passing ability make him a suitable candidate for Inter's goalkeeping needs.

In conclusion, Inter Milan's pursuit of Josep Martinez demonstrates their strategic use of connections and financial ingenuity to bolster their squad. While some fans question the expenditure on a backup goalkeeper, the potential benefits Martinez brings to the team could justify the investment. As the deal nears completion, Inter supporters and football experts alike will be watching closely to see if this transfer becomes another masterstroke by the club's adept transfer team.