Zhang Kangyang's Successor Unveils Two Key Transfer Market Principles: Resolving Striker Disputes by Selling Two Players for €30M?

Inter Milan has officially announced that Beppe Marotta will succeed Steven Zhang as the new president of the club. This marks a return to the model seen during Giacinto Facchetti's tenure, where the major shareholders remain behind the scenes, and employees step into the spotlight. During his inauguration press conference, Marotta addressed several key issues.

When asked about the continued support from Oaktree Capital and the possibility of significant investment in the team, Marotta made it clear that financial prudence and sustainable development are paramount. Many fans had hoped for a "welcome gift" in the form of high-profile signings from the new ownership, but Marotta’s emphasis on financial security and cost-effective transfers suggests otherwise.

Fiscal Balance and Cost-Effective Signings

Marotta’s statements underscore two fundamental rules for Inter's operations in the summer transfer market. Firstly, the club aims to balance its finances, avoiding additional financial strain. Secondly, they will prioritize cost-effective signings, focusing on the right players rather than the most expensive ones. This approach dashes the hopes of fans expecting lavish spending under new ownership. Instead, Inter is likely to continue its strategy of selling before buying and seeking value in the transfer market to patch up the squad.

This prudent approach has been anticipated by most journalists covering the team. For instance, Gianluca Di Marzio and others have consistently reported on Inter's adherence to a "spend within means" principle. One notable transfer rumor involves Denzel Dumfries, whose contract extension poses difficulties. Should Inter decide to sell Dumfries, they may bring in Bologna’s Ndoye as a replacement, with Bologna demanding €25 million for the winger. The keyword here is “if,” highlighting the conditional nature of such deals.

Marotta and Inzaghi’s Thursday Summit

An important event on Marotta's agenda as the new president is a Thursday summit with coach Simone Inzaghi to finalize his contract extension and resolve any differences. These differences extend beyond contract negotiations (Inzaghi has publicly stated that the extension is not an issue) and include disagreements regarding team-building strategies for the next season. A particular point of contention is the forward line. Inzaghi desires another reliable and durable striker alongside Lautaro Martinez, Marcus Thuram, and Mehdi Taremi. However, the transfer committee views this as a challenging target, necessitating further discussion.

The Thursday meeting is expected to yield significant outcomes, and various rumors are likely to surface in the lead-up. This period of intense speculation is typical as managers gather market feedback and engage with agents and intermediaries. This extensive groundwork is crucial to avoid being ill-prepared during the summit.

Potential Striker Moves and Valentin Carboni’s Future

Two major rumors currently circulate regarding Inter's forward line. First, Di Marzio reports that Fiorentina is interested in signing Marko Arnautovic from Inter. Arnautovic has made 34 appearances for Inter this season (8 starts and 26 as a substitute, totaling 1093 minutes), scoring 7 goals and providing 3 assists. While his efficiency appears reasonable, his overall performance has not met the coach’s expectations. Post-season, Arnautovic denied any departure rumors, affirming his happiness at Inter and dismissing exit talks as false news. However, if Inzaghi aims to have four reliable strikers, offloading Arnautovic could be necessary. Fiorentina had shown interest in Arnautovic during the January transfer window but did not pursue it further. They are now considering making another approach, and Inter is unlikely to block the move. The key factor will be Arnautovic's own evaluation of his situation.

Secondly, several market experts suggest that Inter might consider selling young star Valentin Carboni if an offer of €30 million comes in. The 19-year-old prodigy, currently on loan at Monza, has made 32 appearances (10 starts and 22 substitutes), scoring 2 goals and providing 3 assists. His technical skills and exceptional talent have earned high praise from national team legends and coaches. Carboni represents a valuable asset, akin to a lottery ticket with potential high rewards. However, given Inter's financial difficulties, a substantial offer would be hard to ignore.

Currently, some Premier League clubs are showing interest in Carboni. If Inter can offload Arnautovic to free up space and wages, and secure funds from Carboni’s sale, they could pursue a quality forward using installment payments or a loan with an obligation to buy. This strategy might be one of the few viable ways to meet Inzaghi’s demands for strengthening the forward line.

Realistic Financial Challenges

Despite the financial constraints, the Inter management remains hopeful. As journalist Fabrizio Biasin noted, “Real Madrid just won the Champions League and signed the world's best forward (Kylian Mbappe), while Inter has to pay the €7 million transfer fee for Bisseck over three years,” highlighting the harsh reality. The financial gap between Inter and the top clubs is widening, yet some fans still expect Inter to win the Champions League.

However, there’s no need for despair. Commentator Altobelli rightly points out, “Perhaps a zero budget (not a negative €60 million) and the ability to use 100% of transfer income for new signings (unlike the previous years' 50-60%) would be the optimal conditions for Marotta to showcase his best.” This perspective offers cautious optimism for the future, with a focus on careful financial management and strategic planning.

Marotta’s leadership, combined with Inzaghi’s coaching, aims to navigate these financial challenges effectively. The club’s commitment to balancing the books while remaining competitive underscores a long-term vision for sustainable success. As Inter moves forward, the fans, while tempered in their expectations, can still hold onto hope for strategic and sensible growth.