Triple Crown Legend: Inter's Third Signing Sealed? Reality Reveals Significant Price Discrepancies

Since winning the championship, nearly every day, the Italian media has been churning out rumors of Inter Milan engaging in lavish spending sprees. This morning, La Gazzetta dello Sport linked Inter not only to Guðmundsson but also to Vitor Roque, a 19-year-old Barcelona prodigy currently valued at €40 million on Transfermarkt with a long-term contract. Given the broad net cast by Inter's managers, seeking opportunities everywhere, it's inevitable that many players are linked to the club. These rumors aren't entirely baseless—there might have been some preliminary contact. However, it’s important not to climb every tree, as many names will likely remain just rumors. Fans in chat groups, starved for Inter content, understandably get excited over any hint of transfer news, even regarding unaffordable targets like Varane or Mbappe. It's essential, though, to take some reports with a grain of salt to avoid unnecessary disappointment. Historically, many names only ever existed in rumors, and it's crucial to focus on substantial, legitimate targets.

Among the recent transfer rumors, Brazilian goalkeeper Bento is a player worth discussing. Inter's treble-winning legend Maicon recently revealed that Bento has already signed a contract with Inter, sparking widespread debate. Maicon disclosed on a video-sharing platform: "Will Bento join Inter? I believe so. I've spoken with some insiders, and I think he will join Inter because Sommer is aging, and Bento has performed exceptionally well for the Brazilian national team recently. Inter's management has noticed this. I think Bento has what it takes to come to Milan, and I believe he has already signed a contract with Inter."

Maicon’s revelation led some to speculate that Bento would be Inter's third new signing this summer, following Taremi and Zielinski. But is this really the case? A closer look at Maicon’s entire statement shows that his assertion of Bento signing with Inter is based on two premises: firstly, Bento has the ability to play for Inter, and secondly, Inter's interest in Bento is genuine. However, the main challenge of the Bento deal isn't about his capability or Inter's interest, but rather the price discrepancy.

Bento's potential transfer has been widely discussed recently, mainly because the managers and coach of his current club, Athletico Paranaense, confirmed that the player has requested to leave. Bento wants to move to Europe and play in one of the world’s most prestigious leagues. According to Globo Esporte, Bento submitted a transfer request last summer, but Athletico Paranaense's owner persuaded him to stay another year. This year, Bento reiterated his desire to leave, and Athletico Paranaense cannot keep him any longer, thus putting him on the market. Many clubs are interested in Bento, with Inter being a favorite. The player has openly expressed his interest in Inter, which is factual.

Given the player's strong desire to move, Italian media have been fervently speculating that "Bento is one step away from Inter," "he will be the third new signing," and questioning whether he will be the next Julio Cesar or Onana. In summary, Inter's interest in Bento is genuine; Bento's determination to play in Europe is real; and Athletico Paranaense’s willingness to sell is also true. The real issue is the price and Inter's financial capability. Globo Esporte reports that Athletico Paranaense has set a price tag of €30 million for Bento, whereas Inter’s highest offer is around €10 million plus add-ons, not exceeding €20 million in total, highlighting a significant price gap. Negotiations are about bargaining, and such large price differences can be discussed. However, there is no evidence that Inter has started negotiating yet.

Expert Biasin, known for his straightforwardness, accurately pointed out: "At this stage, every day, 2-3-4 players are linked with Inter, but many are just possibilities suggested by journalists without substantial evidence. The truth is, Inter will plan everything at the end of the season. From what I know, Marotta and Ausilio are indeed considering adding some players, and bringing in a backup goalkeeper is a real topic. Inter is finding it difficult to permanently sign Audero; Bento has been a target for two years. When Inter first noticed him two years ago, he wasn't as famous as he is now. Since then, he has improved and attracted interest from many other clubs, but his price has also increased..."

Biasin confirmed the biggest challenge in the Bento deal. Two years ago, when Inter first targeted him, it was seen as a "lottery ticket" type of deal. As with any lottery, the hope is not to spend too much. Now, Bento has excelled with the Brazilian national team and become a sought-after target for many top European clubs, significantly raising his price. Acquiring him now is akin to signing a proven star, which entails higher costs and different considerations. This discrepancy is what complicates the deal.

To conclude, Inter's interest in Bento is genuine, and the player is keen on joining Inter. These facts are undeniable. However, despite Maicon’s belief that Bento will join Inter, it is prudent to be cautious before resolving the financial aspect of the deal. Declaring Bento as Inter’s third new signing might be premature until the "where will the money come from" issue is definitively addressed.