Nacho-Inter, in Spain they consider the deal as done, but the Nerazzurri won’t let go of Chalobah and Pavard

Inter won’t let go of Nacho. Indeed, on the day Real Madrid officially announced the farewell of Benzema (moved to Al Ittihad) and there is discussion about who will wear the captain’s armband next season, one of the candidates, the defender who grew up in the cantera of the blancos, it is already given. All the indications lead to the separation between him and Real: Nacho is on the verge of accepting the three-year contract offered to him by Marotta, Ausilio and Baccin, preferring an adventure in Italy to a transfer to Villarreal. Also not to challenge “his” Real in La Liga.

Zero deal

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Inter are currently focused only on Saturday’s Champions League final against City and have officially postponed all negotiations on the transfer market. In reality, contacts with next season’s goals have also been kept alive these days and Nacho is one of them. Taking a defender of his experience, on a free transfer, and thus filling the void left by Skriniar’s farewell is considered a great opportunity. The class of 1990 is very popular because he has long been used to playing at a high level, to winning (5 Champions Leagues among other trophies…) and guarantees experience. In addition to a remarkable versatility: in his career he has played both wing and central and seems perfect for Inzaghi’s three-man defence. He was first contacted months ago but he had explained that he wanted to stay in Madrid. Over time, this conviction faded because, evidently, he didn’t get the right offer (apparently as to the duration of the agreement), and therefore his agent re-established relations with Viale della Liberazione. Now the white smoke, according to what transpires from Spain, is one step away: agreement until 2026 with an important engagement because Inter would exploit the advantages of the Growth Decree and save on the gross.

Alternatives

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With Nacho the departure of another free agent (Skriniar) would be filled with a free transfer, but the average age of the team would be raised and this is not the direction in which the management wants to go in view of the future. That’s why Nacho, while remaining a very hot option and one to be taken into great consideration, shouldn’t be considered the only one on the table. An attempt was made in January to have Pavard from Bayern Munich, but the (curt) answer was no. Now, given his contract until 2024, the Bavarian’s request is 20 million negotiable. Not a few. And there is no shortage of competition. Rather keep an eye on Chalobah, a passion for sporting director Ausilio since last summer when he had tried to borrow him before diverting his attention to Acerbi. The naturalized English defender could be one of the pieces that the Blues will scarify to raise money and not incur a punishment from UEFA for Financial Fair Play. And Inter is attentive to the evolution of the situation. Also because on the Milan-London axis there will soon be other topics to discuss: from Lukaku’s loan to Onana and Dumfries, two of Pochettino’s goals to reinforce his squad in 2023-24.