Revealed – Why Inter Milan Spent €25M On Surprise Signing Of France U21 Midfielder

Originally posted on SempreInter.com | By Toni Weeler | Last updated Sep 5, 2025 4:37 AM ET

Inter Milan have clear tactical reasons behind the surprise signing of midfielder Andy Diouf this summer transfer window.

Today’s print edition of Rome-based newspaper Corriere dello Sport, via FCInterNews, note how the Frenchman allows the Nerazzurri to move the ball up the pitch more quickly and directly.

Andy Diouf was a player few would have expected to join Inter Milan this summer.

In fact, even late into the transfer window, the 22-year-old would hardly have looked like a major target for the Nerazzurri.

However, in the space of just a couple days towards the end of August, Inter moved with lightning pace to sign Diouf.

Why Inter Spent €25M On Surprise Andy Diouf Signing

Inter invested around €25 million to sign Andy Diouf from Lens.

This was obviously a clear sign of the Nerazzurri’s seriousness about targeting the France Under-21 international.

Inter’s move for Diouf followed a failed pursuit of Roma midfielder Manu Kone. After Kone had proven out of reach, they looked at quite a few midfielders, eventually settling on Diouf.

And as the Gazzetta note, Diouf doesn’t have quite the same profile as Kone.

The Frenchman is not a particularly adept defensive midfielder. His role on the pitch is not that of screening the defense and winning the ball back.

However, what Diouf does provide is relentless drive up the pitch.

And according to the Gazzetta, that is something that coach Cristian Chivu specifically asked for from Inter.

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

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