Oak Tree's New Term Constrains Inter's Transfer Space: Signing Kim Min-jae Too Difficult, Focus on the Euro Cup Clearance King

Yesterday, the front page headline of Gazzetta dello Sport sparked a flurry of interest among Inter Milan fans by suggesting the potential signing of Kim Min-jae. Despite frequent reminders to rely on Tier 0 and Tier 1 sources during transfer periods, the pink newspaper does not fall into these categories. However, the enthusiasm is understandable.

This reminds me of an incident in South Korea the day before. While on vacation, Son Heung-min went to a park in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, to play casual soccer and maintain his fitness. Once word of this spread on social media, thousands of fans flocked to the park, causing chaos. People scaled walls, stormed the pitch, and even fought for positions. The situation became so unruly that the police had to deploy significant forces to prevent a larger incident. Son publicly apologized the next day.

In South Korea, Kim Min-jae’s popularity is comparable to that of Son Heung-min. If Inter Milan had the opportunity to sign this defensive stalwart, it would undoubtedly be beneficial, not just on the field but also in terms of marketability. Interest from Oak Tree Capital in Son Heung-min is understandable. However, as transfer experts emphasize, acquiring Kim Min-jae is a near-impossible dream for Inter due to financial constraints. Oak Tree Capital does not intend to inject funds into Inter Milan as a welcome gift upon taking over, and this is the current predicament.

Financial Constraints and Transfer Challenges

According to reports from Bild, Kim Min-jae, as one of Bayern Munich’s top five most expensive signings, would command a high fee if made available. Even if Bayern’s acquisition of players like Hiroki Ito might push Kim towards the market, it would primarily be to recoup funds. Inter, even with a loan-to-buy arrangement, would face significant demands from Bayern, such as a high loan fee coupled with a mandatory purchase clause. Despite good relations between the clubs, expecting Bayern to essentially loan Kim Min-jae for free is unrealistic. Inter needs substantial cash and a significant Financial Fair Play (FFP) quota to make this deal feasible, and these conditions are currently unmet—even if Stefan de Vrij is sold.

From the Middle East, news suggests that Stefano Pioli’s move to Al-Ittihad is not a done deal, with players like Karim Benzema reportedly not in favor. De Vrij’s agent, Federico Pastorello, also stated that the rumors of the Dutchman moving to Saudi Arabia are mere speculation, and the player is focused on the European Championship. De Vrij himself expressed a desire to stay at Inter after the quarter-finals. Fabrizio Romano also confirmed that while Saudi clubs are interested in De Vrij, no offers have been made.

Given these factors, the difficulty for Inter in signing Kim Min-jae is immense, and the prerequisites for such a move are far from being met. As experts suggest, keeping an eye on the situation is prudent, but getting overly optimistic at this stage is premature.

Transfer Market Challenges and Oak Tree's Restrictions

Several transfer market experts point out three main difficulties Inter faces in bolstering their squad this summer:

1. Slow progress in selling surplus players to recoup funds.
2. The managerial changes at Napoli, AC Milan, and Juventus will likely increase competition for signings, heightening the risk of bidding wars in Serie A.
3. Oak Tree Capital’s restrictions on Inter’s recruitment clash with Simone Inzaghi’s preferences, necessitating urgent reconciliation.

What are these restrictions? Oak Tree Capital has coined a new term: Inter must focus on the "resale value" of their signings. Because of this directive, players like Mario Hermoso are unlikely to join Inter. Oak Tree Capital prefers not to sign players aged 28-29 or older, as they become veterans within 2-3 years and have little resale value. They prefer signing younger players in their early 20s who, if successful, can be sold for a profit, improving Inter’s capital gain and making the balance sheet more attractive for potential future sales.

This approach naturally sparks controversy. Inter has engaged in resale deals in the past, such as with Achraf Hakimi and Andre Onana. However, a blanket ban on signing older players may not be reasonable. Despite showing improvement, Simone Inzaghi is not known for trusting young players readily. Last season’s reliance on older players like Francesco Acerbi, Matteo Darmian, and Henrikh Mkhitaryan is a testament to this. Effective management of any organization requires alignment between the decision-makers and those executing on the ground, which is crucial to resolve.

Focus on Youth and Resale Value

On platforms like Twitter and Instagram, many fans have expressed relief that players like Piotr Zielinski and Mehdi Taremi, who lack high resale value, were signed before Oak Tree Capital took over. Otherwise, their acquisitions might have been impossible.

Transfer experts are suggesting an alternative plan if De Vrij leaves and Inter cannot pull off the miracle of signing Kim Min-jae: Udinese’s Jaka Bijol. This 25-year-old Slovenian defender excels in defensive duels and aerial battles. At the 2024 European Championship, Bijol averaged 9.5 clearances per game, totaling 38, the highest among all players. Inter has long had their eye on Bijol. He also has a reasonable resale value, sharing the same agent as Erik ten Hag and Pep Guardiola.

The uncertainty surrounding De Vrij’s departure is significant, but if necessary, Bijol could be a viable option for Inter. This would align with Oak Tree Capital’s preference for younger players with potential resale value while addressing Inter’s immediate defensive needs.

The Broader Implications

Inter Milan’s current transfer strategy must navigate a complex web of financial constraints, market competition, and internal policy shifts. The potential signing of Kim Min-jae exemplifies the difficulties the club faces under Oak Tree Capital’s new guidelines. While the dream of acquiring Kim remains distant, focusing on realistic targets like Bijol may provide a practical path forward.

As the summer transfer window progresses, Inter’s management will need to balance the immediate needs of the squad with the long-term financial health dictated by their new owners. The interplay between these factors will shape Inter’s strategy and ultimately determine their competitiveness in the upcoming season.