Inter Milan will not extend the contract of Alexis Sanchez, but Marko Arnautovic is likely to stay for a second season.
This according to today’s print edition of Milan-based newspaper Corriere della Sera, via FCInterNews. The newspaper also report that Genoa’s Albert Gudmundsson is the Nerazzurri’s main target in attack.
This summer, Inter are gearing up to revamp their attack.
Lautaro Martinez and Marcus Thuram are virtually certain to both stay at the club. They have been the two main options in the front two this season, and should continue to be.
But Inter want to refresh with new signings.
One will be Mehdi Taremi. The 31-year-old Iranian international will arrive on a free transfer when his contract with Porto runs out at the end of June.
However, the Nerazzurri won’t stop there. They are also aiming to sign a new forward – and one with a profile that’s different than what they already have available in the squad.
In that respect, the Corriere della Sera confirm reports that Gudmundsson is Inter’s priority target.
The 26-year-old could cost at leas €40 million. But Inter are prepared to make an investment.
But then there is also the question of what Inter will do with the other two strikers currently in the squad.
Inter Won’t Offer Alexis A New Deal – Arnautovic To Stay Another Season
With the arrivals of Taremi and then Gudmundsson or another forward, Inter will have six forwards in the squad including Sanchez and Arnautovic.
That would be surplus to requirements for the Nerazzurri.
But the solution is a fairly simple one. Inter will allow Sanchez to depart at the end of his current deal.
The Chilean signed a one-year contract last summer. And he will be on his way at the end of June when it runs out.
That still leaves Arnautovic, however.
The 34-year-old former West Ham United and Stoke City striker joined Inter last summer. He joined on an initial loan deal that quickly became a permanent transfer.
Arnautovic signed a two-year deal with Inter.
And according to the Corriere della Sera, the Nerazzurri would have no issue with keeping the Austrian in the squad for the second year of his contract.
That is because, with the expanded Champions League format and participation in the Club World Cup, Inter will have a more packed schedule than ever.
Therefore, it would prove helpful to have five forwards to cover the two starting spots rather than four. And Arnautovic would represent a straightforward, low-cost option to make up that fifth striker.
More must-reads: