Dzeko signs for Inter to replace Lukaku as Dumfries also joins

Carlo Garganese

15 Aug 2021 08:35 BST
3 min read

Edin Dzeko has joined Inter as a replacement for Romelu Lukaku, while Denzel Dumfries has also completed his move to the club.

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Inter will pay Roma just under €2 million for the Bosnian veteran, who has agreed a two-year contract at San Siro worth around €5m a year.

The Serie A champions have been in the market for a striker to replace Romelu Lukaku.

Inter were forced to sell Lukaku to Chelsea for a club record €115m fee due to financial problems, a move that was finalised on Thursday.

It is unclear how much of the Lukaku money Inter will be able to use on new signings, but it is expected to be a fraction of the €115m.

© ProShots - Romelu Lukaku has been sold to Chelsea for €115m

The 35-year-old Dzeko represents a low-cost option, although he comes with pedigree having scored an impressive 119 goals and registered 55 assists in 260 Roma appearances over six seasons.

Dzeko made a good start to his Inter career with a debut goal in a 3-0 friendly win against Dynamo Kiev on Saturday.

Inter are also looking to sign a second forward, but a lot will depend on how much money they have to play with.

Right-back Dumfries, meanwhile, has joined on a four-year contract from PSV after impressing for Netherlands at Euro 2020.

The €12.5m deal could reach a value of €15m after add-ons have been taken into account.

Inter's financial crisis

The Nerazzurri’s Chinese owners Suning are loaded with debt following the Coronavirus pandemic and need to cut costs this summer.

They earlier sold Achraf Hakimi for up to €70m to PSG as Suning dismantle the team who won a first Scudetto for 11 years last season, with Dumfries representing a much cheaper replacement.

Antonio Conte already quit as coach earlier in the summer and was replaced by Simone Inzaghi.

Meanwhile, there are fears other players could also be sold. Tottenham have been trying to buy Lautaro Martinez, having bid over €70m for the Argentine attacker.

The Italian media insist that Lukaku will be the last big name to leave the club this summer and that Lautaro is not for sale.

However, the club itself said the same in June when it was decided that Hakimi would be sacrificed.

The transfer window closes on August 31.