The Frenchman is the Nerazzurri’s dream: the deal with Al-Ittihad is holding out. For the sale of the national team midfielder to Nottingham Forest, a reinforcement in the midfield is needed: the first choice is always Curtis Jones
Those very few times in which some abstruse term escapes him, Chivu goes back to sweeping into the stands, as happened to him every now and then on the pitch: «Sorry, I’m Romanian…», says Cristian, while laughing under his moustache. In reality, after 22 years in the Bel Paese, the Inter coach knows Italian down to the most subtle nuances and, when necessary, knows how to use every tone, even the most formal. The most decisive. For example, at this convoluted end of the January transfer window, he was quite clear in making a specific request to the managers: an addition to the Nerazzurri cause would certainly be useful, a new addition at the last minute would be highly appreciated. Consequently, president Beppe Marotta and sporting director Piero Ausilio are working secretly to please him where he would like it most, on the flanks. Not on one, but on two lanes, because Moussa Diaby could move naturally on both sides of the pitch, with enormous possibilities to grow and adapt to the Nerazzurri system. In short, the Nerazzurri’s forbidden dream in these frantic days at the end of the transfer window is still the 26-year-old Frenchman looking for the best way to leave Al-Ittihad.
Reopening
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Chivu today could exaggerate with the numbers and even fly to +8 over Milan, even if with one game more: the ranking speaks with a certain clarity, the Romanian deserved on the pitch and with the results a possible present to be unwrapped immediately in Appiano. It would be very useful for him to continue his escape from the championship and to risk his life in the freezing Norwegian Champions League. Despite the usual difficulties in dealing with the Saudis, who had initially discouraged the Nerazzurri management, Diaby is still very present in the thoughts of the entire sporting area: he is the coach’s favorite and, consequently, also that of the managers. For this 26-year-old to really arrive at Pinetina, as he himself ardently desires, however, a change of scenery is needed, not predictable but not impossible either: Al-Ittihad needs to soften its position and not entrench itself on the transfer formula. Deep down, Inter are still confident that this can happen with the Frenchman on board. In short, the margins are rather narrow, but sufficient for a twist 48 hours from the gong.
Negotiation
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Communications between the Nerazzurri of Milan and the Gialloneri of Riyadh were (temporarily) interrupted, at the very moment in which the Saudis had demanded an exclusively permanent transfer. At the same time, then, they asked for time to find an alternative before letting their talent go. Seeing it like this, not the best scenario for the Nerazzurri to cultivate their hopes. In this transfer story, however, Chivu’s main ally has become the French international himself: when the Romanian coach spoke to him on the phone (this time in English) he was evidently very convincing in making this desire for Inter burn within him. The ancient law of the ball also applies in the desert: in cases like these, it is the player’s will that makes all the difference in the world. Time is running out, between today and tomorrow we will understand whether we can sit back at the table once and for all: so far in Saudi Arabia they have said no to a loan with right of redemption set at 35 million, but transforming the right into an obligation (by changing the total figure) could resolve the issue. And make Chivu happy, who is looking for offensive solutions that are different from those he already has in his squad: Diaby, for example, was not born within the orthodoxy of the 3-5-2, he should be trained in new deliveries, but he would provide unexpected dribbling and unpredictability.
Everyone on the right
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The Frenchman seems to have, however, much more fiber than the shy Luis Henrique, who so far has not filled the hole left by the injured Dumfries in the slightest: come what may, neither the Brazilian (insistently sought by the Premier League) nor the Dutchman, now on the road to recovery, will leave Inter in January due to the decision of the Inter club and Chivu. In the specific case of Denzel, Liverpool have already cooled their fiery passions and pulled back at the speed of light: his age weighs heavily, the winger is almost 30 years old for the youthful standards of the Premier League. On the contrary, however, the Reds could still direct one of the jewels of the house towards Milan: Curtis Jones, who turned 25 two days ago. All possible only under one specific condition: the green light for the loan from the English is conditional on a one-year contract extension (from 2027 to 2028). The player, who feels outside of the Slot project, is too eager to say yes. If in order to reach Inter he changes his mind, then at that point Davide Frattesi would leave Pinetina to find his lost smile again: between him and Nottingham Forest everything is defined in detail, all it takes is a sign and we’ll cross the Channel.
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