Inter's Attack Overhaul Completed, Just One Last Clearance Task Remains: A Signing Announcement and a Crucial Conversation

On the evening of August 9th in Central European Time, or the early hours of August 10th in Beijing, two significant events unfolded at Inter Milan’s headquarters and their Appiano Gentile training center. These events led La Gazzetta dello Sport to conclude that Inter's summer overhaul of their attacking lineup is now complete. The first event, which occurred in the afternoon, involved the announcement of Argentine starlet Thiago Romano’s signing, who is likely to serve as the "fifth forward" for the upcoming season. Romano has signed a five-year contract with Inter, and although Inter traditionally only announces deals after they’ve been registered with the professional league, Panathinaikos and Romano’s management agency preemptively confirmed the transfer, signaling its completion.

For those familiar with Romano, nicknamed the "second Sole" after last season's Serie A breakthrough star, the signing wasn't unexpected. However, some fans have questioned why Inter chose to take a chance on Romano rather than retaining Valentin Carboni, another young talent. The answer lies in the simple fact of player development. Carboni has already accumulated 41 senior appearances—36 in Serie A, 2 in cup competitions, and 3 with the national team—scoring 2 goals and providing 4 assists. Given this experience, it no longer makes sense for him to play in Inter’s reserve team and compete in youth leagues. If Carboni were to stay at Inter as the fifth forward, without regular playing time and without the ability to maintain match fitness in the youth team, his development would stagnate. It’s understandable that the player wouldn’t be inclined to accept such a role.

It’s important to note that Carboni's decision to move to Marseille is not a sign of disloyalty to Inter. Before his transfer, he extended his contract with the club until 2029, and even if Marseille activates the purchase option, Inter retains a buyback clause. So, as for his future with Inter, time will tell.

The situation with Thiago Romano is different. Romano will train regularly with the first team while playing matches with the reserves. Should an emergency arise—such as both Mehdi Taremi and Marko Arnautović being injured—Romano would then step up to the first-team squad, which is considered an ideal way to utilize a "fifth forward." If Romano can make an impact with the first team, it would be a huge win for Inter. Even if he doesn’t, success in the reserve team could still see him generate future value for the club in other ways.

Some pundits, including Marco Astori, believe that while Romano may start the season as the fifth forward, his status could evolve to fourth or even third by mid-season. The reasoning is twofold: the sheer number of matches Inter will face this season, and the team's lack of players with the ability to break through defenses. Only time will tell if this prediction holds true.

The second event occurred later that evening when Inter's management and coaching staff held a crucial discussion with Marko Arnautović to determine the Austrian’s future. The veteran forward agreed to stay on as the fourth-choice striker, and Inter, in turn, decided not to force his departure. Arnautović’s €3.7 million annual salary, combined with the €8 million purchase obligation due this fiscal year, means that selling him would likely result in a financial loss for Inter, complicating their financial statements and potentially triggering issues with Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations.

Earlier in the summer, Arnautović was the subject of constant transfer speculation. There were two main reasons for this. Firstly, the coaching staff was optimistic about signing Johan Guðmundsson, and for that to happen, Inter would need to offload Arnautović to free up a roster spot and reduce the wage bill. Secondly, Arnautović himself had some reservations; the proud veteran felt that being positioned behind Taremi in the pecking order was not suitable for a player of his caliber.

However, the situation has since changed. Taremi impressed during pre-season, showing a level of ability that Arnautović simply couldn't match. Meanwhile, Guðmundsson’s move to Inter became increasingly unlikely. Given the shift in circumstances, the discussion between Inter and Arnautović was deemed necessary. If Inter had plans to offload the Austrian, they needed to be upfront about it, as the summer transfer window is rapidly closing. Conversely, if Inter had no intention of forcing him out, both sides needed to clear the air, allowing Arnautović to settle into his role without any lingering doubts that could lead to internal discord.

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, the conversation went well. Simone Inzaghi expressed his confidence in Arnautović, and the veteran pledged to accept his role as the fourth forward, promising not to create any issues within the squad. With Arnautović set to stay and Romano joining the ranks, Inter's "4+1" attacking framework for the new season is now firmly in place.

Many transfer market experts believe that Inter is unlikely to make any further moves for their attack. The only task remaining is the sale of Joaquín Correa. Of course, nothing is ever certain in the transfer market, and a high-value offer for one of Inter's forwards could still change the situation. However, as things stand, such a scenario seems unlikely.

Inter’s striking options now include Taremi as the primary goal-scorer, followed by Arnautović, who has accepted his role as a backup. Romano will initially provide depth as the fifth option, but his potential to move up the pecking order could make him an unexpected star for the Nerazzurri. The only remaining piece of the puzzle is Correa’s departure, which would clear the way for this new-look attack to hit the ground running in the upcoming season.

As Inter prepares for the challenges ahead, their forward lineup appears both promising and balanced. While the club has made calculated decisions in shaping this attack, only the season's unfolding will reveal whether this new strategy will bring the desired results. With the bulk of their summer business now complete, Inter’s focus can now shift fully to on-field matters as they aim to compete on multiple fronts in the coming months.