Serie A title holders Inter have reportedly fallen behind Milan and Juventus in the race to sign Torino center-back Alessandro Buongiorno. Calciomercato details how the latter two are in talks with the player’s representatives, unlike Nerazzurri, who’re still watching from afar.

Inter must find a sustainable replacement for the aging Francesco Acerbi. Yann Bisseck needs more time to adapt to Serie A. Therefore, Beppe Marotta is in the market for a new central defender. Buongiorno, 24, would be an ideal option, even though he wouldn’t come cheap. 

Torino president Urbano Cairo asks for no less than €45 million to let the club’s homegrown star depart this summer. That’s a prohibitive price for many Serie A clubs, but not Inter. However, Marotta carries a reputation as a careful spender. 

He’s more attracted to cost-effective signings than lucrative purchases. With that in mind, Mario Hermoso is a more suited profile to join Inter than Buongiorno. On top of Marotta’s preferences, his rivals have already put the wheels in motion. 

Juventus and Milan have leapfrogged Inter in the chasing pack. They’ve gained a foothold in the race by approaching the player’s entourage to discuss a potential transfer. The Italy international is among the most sought-after defenders in Serie A, but luring him away from Torino could be tricky.

Inter are aware of Cairo’s stubbornness. That’s why they’ve perhaps intentionally let their rivals take the initiative. Milan plot a defensive overhaul in the summer, while Juventus face a genuine risk of losing Gleison Bemer to foreign suitors. 

On that basis, the Buongiorno case could soon turn into another soap opera.

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