The Players Inter Should Look to Sell This Summer
By George Cannon
2019/20 was a 'nearly' season for Inter. Antonio Conte nearly led the Nerazurri to the title, finishing a point behind Juventus, and they nearly won the Europa League – only for Sevilla to come back from an early deficit to take the trophy.
Juve's nine-year domestic domination is teetering on the brink of falling from the cliff and being dashed on the rocks of hubris, and Inter are on the up. It's been said pretty much every year for the last decade, but...maybe this time, there's a team who can topple the Old Lady.
Conte has confirmed he'll remain at San Siro after some internal fallings out, and the former Chelsea boss has already tied down loanees Alexis Sanchez and Nicolo Barella to permanent deals, while also adding Achraf Hakimi from Real Madrid.
With arrivals come departures though, because you can't sign 238 Premier League rejects and expect them to fit comfortably on your wage bill. We've taken a look at who's expendable for the fiery Italian, and thrown in some possible destinations and prices as a bonus.
1. Ivan Perisic
The Croatian winger won the Champions League on loan with Bayern Munich this past season, but he's unlikely to be welcomed back at Inter despite having two years left to run on his contract.
Despite making 45 appearances in 2018/19, Conte was happy to see the back of the player who joined from Wolfsburg in 2015 - although he may have regretted that after seeing the wide man net eight goals and provide ten assists in all competitions for Hansi Flick's treble winners.
The German giants have an option to buy Perisic following his loan spell, but it is yet to be seen whether they take up that opportunity.
At 31 years old, Perisic has one big move left in him and Inter could still demand a high price following his impressive displays in the Champions League knockout stages for Bayern – money which could be used to fund the title push.
Potential destinations: Bayern Munich, Tottenham, Everton,
Potential price: £20m
2. Radja Nainggolan
Nainggolan's move from Roma to Inter in the summer of 2018 didn't work out for...well, a few reasons – and he went out on loan to Cagliari last summer.
The 32-year-old Belgian had a successful 2019/20 campaign at his old stomping ground, bagging six goals and recording six assists in 26 Serie A games. Like Perisic though, that's more likely going to be used to drum up a sale than earn him a place back at San Siro.
The Nerazzuri would be much better off selling Nainggolan whilst they can still get a decent price for him, and ploughing the funds into – say – a move for Sandro Tonali. The 20-year-old Brescia man is available this summer and could be a mainstay in Inter's midfield for the next decade.
Potential destinations: Fiorentina, Napoli, Cagliari
Potential price: £10m
3. Joao Mario
After winning the European Championships with Portugal in the summer of 2016, Joao Mario was one of the hottest properties on the market.
Inter bagged him for a cool £36m, but...well, he never really looked worth anything like the price tag. Subsequent loan spells at West Ham and Lokomotiv Moscow brought minor upticks in form, but he's never looked as good as he did while playing in (or for) Portugal.
With two years left on his Inter contract and at just 27 years old, Conte would still be able to recoup...well, something. Better than a poke in the eye with a sharp stick, innit.
Potential destinations: Marseille, West Ham, Everton
Potential price: £15m
4. Kwadwo Asamoah
The former Juventus winger turned wing-back has been a reliable player wherever he has plied his trade, but last season was one of his most disappointing to date.
The presence of Cristiano Biraghi and Ashley Young, plus a knee injury, restricted the Ghanaian to just 11 appearances in all competitions, in which he provided a solitary assist.
With Young proving a success following his winter switch from Manchester United and the Brazilian Dalbert returning from Fiorentina following a successful loan spell, there won't be many more opportunities for the 31-year-old at San Siro.
Potential destination: Bottom half of Serie A
Potential price: £2.5m
5. Andrea Ranocchia
Ranocchia has spent the last nine seasons, on and off, at Inter. He spent the 2016/17 season on loan at Sampdoria and then Hull City in the Premier League, but was helpless as the Tigers suffered relegation.
With the emergence of 21-year-old Alessandro Bastoni at the heart of the Inter defence, veteran defender Ranocchia was limited to just 12 appearances in all competitions last season, and has played 32 times in the last three seasons combined.
The Italian defender would be better served spending his twilight years in a starting XI elsewhere, and Conte could put his wages to better use.
Potential destination: Bottom half of Serie A
Potential price: £1m