Taremi's Injury Deals a Heavy Blow to Inter Milan's Four-Forward Plan, Gudmundsson Price Drop Sparks Potential Move

Yesterday afternoon at 4 PM local time, Inter Milan’s training ground welcomed a special guest: Antonio Manicone. A member of Inter’s 1994 UEFA Cup-winning squad, Manicone played for Inter for five seasons and served as the club’s youth team coach for eight years (2004-2012). In January 2023, he was appointed assistant coach of the Iranian national team. It’s believed that Manicone played a crucial role in Taremi’s decision to join Inter, despite higher salary offers from the Premier League and the Middle East. Manicone’s visit to Inter’s headquarters was driven by a keen interest in Taremi’s injury status.

According to Inter’s official announcement, Taremi has sustained a mild strain, and the club plans further tests next week. Gazzetta dello Sport predicts that Taremi will be sidelined for around two weeks. However, feedback from the Iranian assistant coach suggests that Taremi’s injury might be more severe than initially thought. Consequently, Iranian media speculates that Taremi will be out for at least three weeks. This situation has caught Inter off guard since Taremi hasn’t been injured in the past five years, with his last absence due to health issues occurring over two years ago during a COVID-19 infection.

This injury reignites an old issue: as the long and grueling season approaches, coach Simone Inzaghi desires a squad of five forwards. However, due to financial constraints, operational difficulties, and player development considerations, Inter’s management has stuck with a four-forward setup. This includes Arnautovic, whose inconsistent performance and questionable reliability have been a significant concern. Taremi’s injury has led to widespread criticism of this “patch-up solution,” with market experts suggesting that Inter might need to rethink their forward strategy.

There are three key updates in this situation. Firstly, reliable source Biasin confirms that Inter’s transfer team is now “seriously and earnestly considering the fifth forward issue.” Recently, Inter has been working on offloading two academy forwards: Valentin Carboni’s move to Marseille is nearly finalized, with the player set to extend his contract with Inter until 2029 before going on loan to the French club. Satriano’s situation is also being resolved, with Inter reaching a €6 million agreement with Brest plus a resale clause. However, Satriano remains unconvinced about Brest and needs time to decide. Before Taremi’s injury, these players staying at Inter this season seemed almost impossible. Now, the situation may change dramatically.

Secondly, Sky Sports reports that Inter plans a serious, candid discussion with Arnautovic, which could significantly impact their forward plans. The root of Inter’s forward problems lies with Arnautovic. Many believe that a four-forward setup can work, but all four forwards must be reliable and capable. Thuram, though injury-prone, is generally dependable. Arnautovic’s inconsistent performances and stamina issues have made his inclusion problematic, leading the coaching staff to feel that four forwards are insufficient. Inter faces significant challenges in assembling a five-forward lineup: financially unable to afford a top striker and unwilling to stifle young talent like Carboni by relegating him to a fifth-choice role. This makes the upcoming discussion with Arnautovic crucial. If Arnautovic agrees to leave, Inter can seek a more reliable fourth forward, fundamentally addressing the issue. Alternatively, if Arnautovic stays, clear communication is essential to avoid ongoing rumors and uncertainty.

Lastly, market expert Moretto revealed in a video program that Genoa has lowered their asking price for Gudmundsson, which could bring Inter back into the race for the Icelandic forward. Previously, Inter had informal talks with Genoa about Gudmundsson. Due to financial constraints, Inter could only offer a loan with an obligation to buy, hoping to include a makeweight in the deal, similar to the Frattesi transaction. Genoa’s initial demand was €35-40 million, and disagreements over the makeweight stalled negotiations. However, Moretto states that Gudmundsson’s price has dropped, as Genoa needs player sales to balance their books. Fiorentina is also negotiating for Gudmundsson with a loan-to-buy deal valued at €20-25 million. If Inter can match this structure, they might re-enter the competition for the Icelandic striker.

In conclusion, Inter’s forward lineup strategy may see significant changes in the coming days. Taremi’s unexpected injury has exposed the fragility of their four-forward plan, prompting management to consider alternative solutions more seriously. Fans and analysts alike will closely monitor how Marotta, Ausilio, and Baccin navigate these challenges, aiming to strengthen Inter’s forward options before the Serie A season kicks off in two weeks and the transfer window closes in less than a month.