Lukaku & Lautaro in, Vidal out: The Inter players who could leave this summer

Emmet Gates

• Updated: 19 May 2021 15:43 BST
• 4 min read

Inter look set to win their first Scudetto since the halcyon days of Jose Mourinho. The Italian giants have steamrolled their way to the title since being eliminated from European competition just before Christmas.

Only a miracle would see either Milan or Juventus claw back a giant deficit. Antonio Conte’s large squad have all played their part in the soon-to-be title success.

Yet it’s been reported that Conte will only stay on at San Siro for a third season should he be given assurances from Chinese owners Suning about further investment in the squad ahead of 2021/22.

Some players will stay, and others will leave, but who?

READ MORE: Who is Martin Satriano? The Inter starlet attracting interest from Man City and PSG

Goalkeepers

Club stalwart Samir Handanovic has been at the club for nearly a decade. Now 36, the club may decide to move on from the Slovenian in the summer.

Udinese goalkeeper Juan Musso has been heavily linked with a move to Inter this year. The Argentine has been in incredible form for the Zebrette, and Inter are said to be monitoring his situation.

Handanovic could drop down to become a No.2 at the club if a move for Musso happened. Or, a likely scenario could be that the shot-stopper leaves the Nerazzurri altogether, with his legacy secured at the club.

Defenders

Aleksandar Kolarov could be one of the first heading out towards the exit door this summer.

The former Roma and Lazio left-back was bought last summer for €1.5m from the Giallorossi, but has barely been used since a disastrous run of games early in the season, with Conte utilising him as a left-sided defender in a back three.

Kolarov has now morphed into the side’s primary cheerleader; using his vast experience to keep the group dynamic content.

The Serbian, now 35, will likely be allowed to leave the club a Serie A winner, having spent seven years in the peninsula.

Danilo D’Ambrosio may also be set to leave the club, as may Ashley Young. Both of their contracts expire this summer, and it’s unlikely that both will remain. Andrea Ranocchia could also leave.

Achraf Hakimi is set to stay, however. The flying Turk has been linked with moves away from Inter, but the right-back stated recently that he sees his future in Milan.

Midfielders

If this article had been written two months ago, Christian Eriksen’s name would’ve been top of the list for departures.

The Dane’s move to Inter from Tottenham hadn’t gone well in the first 12 months. However, since a free-kick winning goal in the Derby della Madonnina, Eriksen’s finally found a new lease of life in Italy.

Re-programmed by Conte to play further back, Eriksen has now cemented his starting position in the team, and his inclusion has made Inter play much better as a consequence.

Arturo Vidal has been the big loser in the Eriksen re-birth, and despite being a disciple of Conte, it remains to be seen what his future holds at Inter next season. The Chilean has endured a horrid season, with the 33-year-old, naturally, nowhere close to being the player he was at Juventus in the middle of last decade.

Stefano Sensi and Mattias Vecino could leave the club this summer. Sensi is highly valued by Conte, but his stay at the club has been ruined by a succession of injuries, whilst Vecino is thought to be surplus to requirements.

Forwards

Lautaro Martinez, who was close to a move to Barcelona a year ago, seems set to stay at Inter. Martinez is thought to be close to extending his contract with Inter, closing the door on any potential move away from the club.

Martinez’s strike partner, Romelu Lukaku, is also set to stay, given his affinity for Conte. The pair have fired Inter to the top of the table, and Conte would likely resign should any of the pair be sold.

Alexis Sanchez, who has mainly been used as an impact sub, could also stay. Conte would ideally like to bring in another striker this summer, or recall Sebastiano Esposito, who the club have high hopes for.