Revealed – Background Of Whirlwind Inter Milan Move To Sign Lens Midfielder

Originally posted on SempreInter.com | By Toni Weeler | Last updated Aug 22, 2025 4:51 AM ET

Inter Milan’s move for Lens midfielder Andy Diouf seemed to come out of nowhere, but was the end of a longer process.

As the Gazzetta dello Sport, via FCInterNews, note, the Frenchman was the player Inter moved for after considering Manu Kone and Djaoui Cisse.

Inter have spent the last couple of weeks searching for a midfielder.

The Gazzetta dello Sport note that the Nerazzurri were tracking a particular profile. They wanted a midfielder who can speed up play and drive with the ball from deeper areas.

Roma midfielder Manu Kone was the first port of call in that search. Inter made an offer for the 24-year-old last week.

However, the Giallorossi rebuffed the Nerazzurri’s bid in no uncertain terms.

Then, the Gazzetta note, Inter sounded out a move for young Rennes midfielder Djaoui Cisse. The 21-year-old has a similar style of play to his compatriot Kone.

However, as the newspaper report, Rennes showed a lot of reluctance to sell Cisse this summer. Therefore, Inter quickly moved on.

Inter Settle On Andy Diouf After Missing Out On Kone & Cisse

According to the Gazzetta dello Sport, though, failure to sign Kone and Cisse did not deter Inter.

And the player who the Nerazzurri looked at next was yet another young French midfielder.

Inter approached Lens about signing midfielder Andy Diouf.

The 22-year-old was already a target for reigning Italian champions Napoli. However, Inter managed to undermine the Partenopei’s pursuit completely, reaching an agreement with both Diouf and Lens very quickly.

Inter will pay an initial fee of €20 million for the Frenchman. Then there will be a further €5 million in add-ons in the deal.

Meanwhile, Diouf himself will earn €2 million net per season on a five-year contract with Inter.

This article first appeared on SempreInter.com and was syndicated with permission.

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