Inter Milan’s Dilemma in Signing Arsenal’s Defender and Three Squad Leaders Impressing the Coach

Inter Milan has recently been at the center of discussions regarding two notable reports. The first revolves around their defensive reinforcements following the missed opportunity to sign Kabar. With alternatives like Hermoso and Ricardo Rodriguez not convincing Oak Capital, Italian media has highlighted Zenit St. Petersburg's Renan and Arsenal's Jakub Kiwior as prime targets for bolstering Inter’s backline.

Defensive Reinforcements: Renan and Kiwior

Inter's interest in Renan has garnered substantial attention, largely due to confirmation from his agent. The agent mentioned that Inter is not alone in their interest; several European clubs are also keen on Renan. However, no formal offers have been made yet. The agent's claim that Renan has the potential to win the Ballon d'Or can be taken with a grain of salt. Reports from Gazzetta dello Sport and transfer market experts like Alfredo Pedullà have indicated that Renan is lower on Inter’s priority list. Kiwior, on the other hand, is higher up the list due to his experience in Serie A and being a European international, fitting more into coach Simone Inzaghi’s preferences.

Kiwior, the Polish international, joined Arsenal from Spezia in January 2023 for €19.5 million. During his 18 months at Arsenal, Kiwior played only 1,361 minutes in the Premier League, scoring two goals and providing three assists but remained a fringe player. Should Arsenal's summer defensive signings be successful, Kiwior’s role would become even more peripheral. In the recent European Championship, Kiwior played every minute of Poland’s three group matches, achieving a 67% success rate in aerial duels and averaging four tackles and interceptions per game, ranking high in the tournament’s defensive statistics. While some mid-table Serie A and La Liga teams have shown interest, the 24-year-old is reluctant to move to a smaller club, viewing it as a step back in his career. Italian media believe that if Inter makes a serious approach, they might persuade him.

Financial Hurdles and Strategy

The potential deal for Kiwior faces two main obstacles. Firstly, the total cost is a significant issue. British media confirm that Arsenal has set a price tag of €25-35 million for Kiwior, which exceeds Inter’s budget. Even if he joins, Kiwior would be a backup for Alessandro Bastoni, raising the question of whether Inter would spend such a high amount on a rotation player. Secondly, there's the cash flow problem. According to Gazzetta dello Sport, Inter has yet to make a formal move for Kiwior, preferring to secure the player’s willingness first. If they do make an offer, it’s likely to be a loan with an option to buy, a proposal Arsenal may not accept.

Intense Competition Among Players: Inter’s "Army"

In another report, three key Inter players have demonstrated an intense competitive spirit during the early stages of preseason training, prompting coach Simone Inzaghi to remark that the current Inter squad resembles an army. Henrikh Mkhitaryan has led this charge, possibly motivated by the arrival of Piotr Zielinski, which he sees as a threat to his starting position. The Armenian veteran has shown immense determination from the outset of preseason, opting to stay at the training ground round-the-clock and adopting a "7 days, 24 hours battle mode."

Sky Italia reporters noted that Mkhitaryan was one of the best-performing players in the early days of training. However, Zielinski’s superior physical condition upon joining the training has spurred Mkhitaryan to push even harder. Consequently, Mkhitaryan has intensified his efforts, and in turn, Zielinski has also chosen to stay at the training ground. Mehdi Taremi has followed suit, motivated by his close relationship with Mkhitaryan and his competitive spirit.

New Signings Making an Impact

Both new signings, Zielinski and Taremi, have impressed Inzaghi and his coaching staff with their abilities and physical condition. The Gazzetta dello Sport’s front page humorously featured Inzaghi grinning and exclaiming, "My Inter is an army!" The report highlighted that despite only a few days of training, Taremi has been scoring goals consistently, and Zielinski’s technical quality has been convincing. The physical conditioning of these new signings has been particularly pleasing to the fitness coaches, suggesting they maintained their fitness even during the off-season.

The fierce internal competition at Inter is exactly what the club aimed for by bringing in Taremi and Zielinski. It’s not just about their abilities to help the team but also about injecting new energy and competition into the squad that won the championship last season. A champion team must continually introduce fresh blood and competition to avoid complacency. Just like how Real Madrid, despite being Champions League winners, continue to sign stars like Kylian Mbappe and Endrick, leading to a situation where seven of the world's 18 players valued over €100 million are in their squad. For now, it appears Inter's strategy is working.

The Path Forward

As Inter Milan navigates the complexities of the transfer market and the competitive dynamics within their squad, the coming weeks will be crucial. Securing a defender like Kiwior, who has Serie A experience and international pedigree, could solidify their backline, though financial constraints and Arsenal's demands pose significant challenges.

Meanwhile, the intense competition during preseason sets a positive tone for the upcoming season. With players like Mkhitaryan, Zielinski, and Taremi pushing each other to higher levels, Inter is cultivating an environment of excellence and determination. This internal drive could be the key to maintaining their dominance in Serie A and making a significant impact in Europe.

Fans and analysts will closely watch Inter’s transfer activities and preseason progress. The ability to blend new talent with existing stars, while managing financial constraints, will be critical to their success. If Inter can navigate these challenges effectively, they will be well-positioned to defend their title and aim for greater achievements on the European stage.