Inter Milan’s Most Protracted Transfer Sagas As Ademola Lookman Pursuit Rolls On

When it comes to iconic transfer sagas, Wesley Sneijder’s never-ending rumored move to Manchester United is practically legendary.

The Dutch playmaker was riding high after a breathtaking 2009/10 campaign with Inter, where he guided the club to an unprecedented treble. That same year, many felt the Dutch superstar was unfairly overlooked for the Ballon d’Or, which only heightened his allure on the transfer market.

For United’s Sir Alex Ferguson, he was tailor-made to replace the retiring Paul Scholes in midfield. 

Summer after summer—2011 through 2012—the British tabloids had a field day. Every other day, headlines screamed, “Sneijder Close to Old Trafford Move.”

At one point, reports suggested that the former Real Madrid man had even agreed on personal terms with United. But as the weeks, months, and ultimately years dragged on, it became clear this move was anything but straightforward.

The stumbling blocks were significant. Sneijder’s wage demands, rumored to exceed €200,000 per week net, were anathema to United’s financial model. Then there was Inter’s asking price—£30–35 million—which seemed excessive for a player nearing his 30s.

To make matters worse, complications arising from Sneijder’s lucrative image rights posed additional financial headaches. 

Ultimately, Ferguson cooled his interest, famously remarking that Sneijder didn’t fit into United’s high-energy approach.

The saga ended with Shinji Kagawa, not Sneijder, donning United red. Years later, the 2010 World Cup finalist acknowledged the saga, confirming the negotiations were real and expressing openness to the move. However, he maintained he harbored no regrets about staying with Inter. 

Mauro Icardi to PSG

Few players have brought as much drama to a club as Mauro Icardi. Inter Milan’s former captain and talisman didn’t just score goals—he attracted controversy like a magnet.

By 2018, tensions between the Argentine and the club had reached a fever pitch. Stripped of the captaincy by Luciano Spalletti, Icardi’s exile was as dramatic off the pitch as it was on it. Much of the chaos was orchestrated by his wife and agent, Wanda Nara, whose public comments added fuel to an already roaring fire.

For months, Inter tried to offload Icardi. Juventus and Napoli emerged as potential destinations, but both deals unraveled amid legal threats and personal drama.

As the clock ticked down on the 2019 summer transfer window, PSG swooped in, securing the former Sampdoria man on a last-minute loan. A year later, with all parties eager for closure, the transfer was made permanent in a deal reportedly worth €50 million.

This saga wasn’t just about football; it was a masterclass in how egos and off-field distractions can derail even the most promising careers.

For Inter, it was a chance to finally move on. For fans, it was a rollercoaster ride they probably won’t forget anytime soon.

Christian Eriksen from Tottenham

Sometimes, timing is everything. For Christian Eriksen, the ticking clock of his expiring Tottenham contract created fertile ground for one of the most drawn-out transfer pursuits in recent memory.

With just six months left before he became a free agent, Inter sensed an opportunity to pounce. Yet, Spurs—ever shrewd negotiators under Daniel Levy—weren’t about to lose their midfield star without compensation.

What followed was a protracted game of chicken. Inter wanted a bargain. Tottenham wanted a premium. Weeks turned into months as negotiations dragged on.

Finally, in January 2020, a compromise was reached. Inter agreed to pay €20 million for Eriksen, bringing an end to a saga that had tested the patience of both sets of fans.

Was it worth it? Not really. While the Danish midfielder played a role during Inter’s triumphant 2020/21 Serie A title campaign, it wasn’t a starring one.

He played a bit part role most of the year, but he did come good during the run-in, netting three times and helping Inter to the crown for the first time in a decade. However, months later, he was out of the door following a scary moment at the 2021 European Championships, with the Dane deemed as not permitted to play in Serie A due to the presence of an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator.