The Zhang Kangyang Era at Inter Milan: 15 Major Free Transfers and New Hot Prospects

In recent reports, La Gazzetta dello Sport has highlighted the strategic free transfer operations at Inter Milan under the ownership of Zhang Kangyang. For clarity, "free transfer" here means acquisitions without a transfer fee. While there may be associated costs such as commissions—like the €5 million for Hakan Çalhanoğlu and €8 million for Marcus Thuram—these figures are accounted for in official financial reports. In modern football, even renewing a player's contract can incur similar fees, so for our purposes, we'll categorize all transfers without a fee as "free transfers."

So far this season, several of Inter's free transfers have delivered outstanding performances, notably Çalhanoğlu, Thuram, and Henrikh Mkhitaryan, making them integral to the team's success. La Gazzetta dello Sport points out that since the Zhang family took over Inter, the club has made 15 such signings. The initial signings included Éver Banega from La Liga and Caner Erkin from Fenerbahçe. While Banega had a modest impact with 28 appearances, Erkin’s transfer turned into a brief debacle. Both players were products of the previous administration under Erick Thohir, joining during the transition of ownership.

Post-transition, Inter's success rate with free transfers has improved. Notable signings include Daniele Padelli, who, despite limited appearances, played a significant role in the dressing room and other supportive capacities. Stefan de Vrij joined from Lazio and became a key MVP defender in Serie A. Kwadwo Asamoah initially contributed effectively before injuries hampered his performance, and Diego Godín also had a commendable stint.

In recent years, Inter has achieved notable success with free transfers. Çalhanoğlu, Mkhitaryan, and Thuram have been standout acquisitions. The effectiveness of Juan Cuadrado and Alexis Sánchez this season remains to be seen. Other players like Alex Cordaz and Filippo Dijanaro, though rarely featuring on the pitch, have made valuable contributions in the locker room and for squad registration purposes.

Italian media believe that the most significant free transfer of the Chinese ownership era is André Onana. Acquired on a free transfer, Onana was later sold for over €50 million, underscoring the potential value of such deals. It’s clear that Inter will continue to pursue free transfers. This approach is a necessity given the current financial challenges in Serie A, where increasing revenue is difficult and cost-cutting is a common goal. It's also a strategy that has yielded successful precedents in recent years.

Inter’s current management structure and decision-making model play a crucial role in these operations. Zhang Kangyang, constrained in terms of continuous financial investment, grants significant autonomy to the management team. As a result, the roles of Giuseppe Marotta and Piero Ausilio, who are known for their extensive networks and diligent work ethic, are pivotal. They maintain close ties with various agent companies, casting a wide net in search of potential free transfers.

La Gazzetta dello Sport confirms that Inter has recently been laying the groundwork for three potential free transfer deals: Adama Traoré, Piotr Zieliński, and Mehdi Taremi. The situation with Traoré is similar to Thuram’s, where Inter had previously attempted to purchase him but were unsuccessful. However, the connections established by Ausilio have remained strong. Although Traoré is now attracting interest from several European clubs, Inter is reportedly in a favorable position due to these longstanding ties.

Zieliński's contract renewal talks have stalled, making him a target for both Inter and Juventus. Simone Inzaghi’s admiration for Zieliński could be a deciding factor in Inter’s favor. The rumors linking Taremi to Inter are also widespread. The Asian striker, often celebrated for his athletic prowess, has been a frequent subject of speculation. The performance and fitness of Marko Arnautović could influence Taremi's potential move.

In addition to these three well-publicized targets, Inter has other solidly laid plans for free transfers that have not yet been disclosed. History has shown that many of Inter's eventual signings are not necessarily those most frequently mentioned in rumors, as was the case with Cuadrado and Sánchez this past summer. Transfer market expert Fabrizio Romano noted that while Inter did engage with Taremi this summer, Porto's stance ultimately prevented the deal from materializing. Taremi remains a potential future target for Inter, but he is not the only one. The club has also been in frequent contact with several Premier League players whose contracts are nearing expiration, hoping to secure some surprises next June.

With two months remaining until the new year, when players can sign pre-contract agreements under the Bosman ruling, and several months until the next summer transfer window, it's premature to predict Inter’s exact transfer outcomes. However, for Inter’s transfer team, the groundwork is already accelerating.

The financial constraints facing Inter are unlikely to change in the short term, making free transfers a pragmatic solution. This approach allows the club to strengthen its squad while adhering to budgetary constraints. The management's ability to leverage their networks and maintain continuous contact with potential targets is crucial to this strategy's success.

The Zhang era at Inter Milan has already demonstrated the potential benefits of astute free transfer dealings. With 15 successful acquisitions and several promising targets on the horizon, the club’s management continues to navigate financial challenges with strategic acumen. As the transfer landscape evolves, Inter's proactive approach and diligent groundwork could yield significant rewards in the seasons to come.