Inter Milan to have Piotr Zielinski and Mehdi Taremi replace Davy Klaassen and Alexis Sanchez respectively in the squad next season.
This according to Milan-based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, via FCInter1908.
This summer, there are already two confirmed new signings for Inter.
The Nerazzurri have wrapped up deals for the likes of Napoli midfielder Zielinski and Porto striker Taremi months ago.
Both will be on free transfers. Therefore, they will arrive at the Nerazzurri officially at the start of July, after their contracts with their current clubs expire.
The signings of Zielinski and Taremi represent two more major coups in Inter’s recent history of big name free transfer deals.
And according to the Gazzetta, there is a specific reason why Inter targeted the pair of them – beyond the fact that they are available out of contract.
Zielinski & Taremi To Replace Klaassen & Alexis At Inter
The reason for targeting Zielinski and Taremi this summer is simple. Inter want greater strength in depth next season.
This campaign, there has largely been a very clear hierarchy in terms of the starters in the squad.
There may be one or two positions where there’s doubt as far as the first-choice starter.
But by and large, Inter’s squad has been one of starters and backups.
Therefore, the aim is to have more genuine competition for starting places.
Particularly with the expansions of the Champions League and Club World Cup and the more demanding fixture list that comes with them, squad rotation will be key.
Therefore, Inter do not want there to be any sort of dropoff in terms of the level of the starting eleven between matches. Even if there are changes in personnel.
This means that the Nerazzurri are specifically aiming to improve in positions where there has been a notable lack of that sort of depth this season.
In midfielder, former Everton and Ajax midfielder Klaassen has rarely played, let alone started.
Inter brought the Dutchman in on a free transfer to add a bit of depth. But he has hardly added a starting-quality option.
Zielinski, on the other hand, can do just that.
It is a similar situation with Taremi.
Inter see the Iranian international as a player who can push for a starting place in attack. Not just a backup to Lautaro Martinez and Marcus Thuram like Sanchez this season.
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