Lukaku and 10 players who could transfer to Inter this summer

Martin Macdonald

Updated: 15 May 2022 18:49 BST
6 min read

Romelu Lukaku, Chelsea, 2021/22 — © ProShots

Inter won the Scudetto for the first time in nearly a decade in the 2020/21 campaign.

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Unfortunately for fans of the Nerazzurri, the financial state of the club meant that two star players, Romelu Lukaku and Achraf Hakimi, were sold.

Antonio Conte, the mastermind of the title victory, also left after being informed that the money from the two aforementioned sales would not be pumped back into the squad.

Inter find themselves in a not too dissimilar situation in 2021/22.

With two matchdays to go, they are in the race to win another Scudetto, but they may need to sacrifice another big player such as Lautaro Martinez if they are to splash the cash this summer.

Here are 10 stars to keep an eye on this summer.

What goalkeepers could transfer to Inter this summer?

Andre Onana (Ajax)

Andre Onana was in career limbo after receiving a ban for testing positive for a banned substance.

In February of 2021, the Cameroonian was banned from playing football for 12 months by UEFA after testing positive for Furosemide.

That ban was then reduced to nine months, but it contributed to a breakdown in the relationship between the player and Ajax.

His current contract with the Dutch giants ends in the summer of 2022, and he has already agreed to join Inter on a Bosman Transfer. The deal will be official soon.

What defenders could transfer to Inter this summer?

Bremer (Torino)

It is possible that Stefan de Vrij will leave this summer, so a new centre-back will be required.

Inter's number one target for this position is Torino's Bremer, who they are already in advanced talks for.

The 25-year-old Brazilian has been a standout in Serie A, and it comes as little surprise to see him linked with a string of major clubs.

He has not put a foot wrong for a mid-table Torino side. The centre back – who has been deployed in the middle of Ivan Juric’s back three – boasts every quality needed of a top central defender.

He has lightning pace, is strong, aggressive and competitive, and is superb in the air.

William Saliba (Arsenal)

At this moment, it is unclear as to whether Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta rates the talents of William Saliba as he has again been shipped out on loan this season, with Marseille the destination.

He has been superb for the French side and could be set for a big move if Arsenal don't want him.

Atletico Madrid are linked, but Inter have also been credited with an interest if they fail in their pursuit of Bremer.

What midfielders could transfer to Inter this summer?

Davide Frattesi (Sassuolo)

Inter have renewed the contract of Marcelo Brozovic, while Nicolo Barella remains one of Italy's best midfielders.

Quality and depth is still needed in this position, though, which is why a number of midfielders are being targeted.

One option that has emerged is Sassuolo's Davide Frattesi, who has impressed for the Neroverdi.

He would join the ever-growing contingent of exciting young Italians at Inter. Juventus are also interested.

Rodrigo De Paul (Atletico Madrid)

One of the best attacking midfielders in Serie A last season was Rodrigo De Paul, who scored nine goals and recorded nine assists for Udinese.

His performances earned him a transfer to Atletico but it hasn't worked out for him in Spain as of yet.

De Paul could be set for a return to Italy just a year after leaving, but Atletico will want close to the €35 million that they paid for him.

Florian Grillitsch

Florian Grillitsch has made over 140 appearances for Hoffenheim and established himself as a gifted Bundesliga midfielder, who can break up opposing moves just as well as he can begin them for his own side.

According to a report by Kicker last year, Napoli and Milan were both keen on making a move for the midfielder, but the player’s agent only confirmed contact from the latter. But nothing came of it before the summer window slammed shut.

In recent months, Grillitsch has instead attracted interest from Milan’s cross-city rivals, with CalcioMercato reporting that Inter have earmarked the Austrian.

What forwards could transfer to Inter this summer?

Romelu Lukaku (Chelsea)

There is no doubt that Romelu Lukaku's return to Chelsea in the summer of 2021 has proved to be one of the most underwhelming Premier League transfers of recent memory, so far.

While it may have seemed odd on paper for the Blues to spend €117 million on a player they once had on their books as a young prospect, the signing of Lukaku was undoubtedly a statement transfer from the club.

He has not hit the brilliance of his time at Inter and even admitted earlier this season that he regrets leaving the Italian giants.

This would not be an easy deal to pull off financially, but both Inter and Lukaku want it.

Paulo Dybala (Juventus)

Paulo Dybala will leave Juventus as a free agent at the end of the current season, with a number of clubs lining up to sign the Argentine.

Juventus and Dybala had agreed a new contract worth around €10 million a year towards the end of 2021 but pen was never put to paper officially.

Paulo Dybala, Juventus, 2021/22 — © ProShots

The Bianconeri then attempted to change the terms as they were concerned by Dybala’s constant injury problems – he has suffered his six physical problems in 2021-22.

Eventually, after weeks of delayed talks, Juventus decided not to renew Dybala's contract, and Inter has emerged as the most likely destination. They are in talks to sign him.

Gianluca Scamacca (Sassuolo)

Gianluca Scamacca has long been tipped for stardom. As a young teenager in Roma’s youth academy he was prolific and generated interest from many of Europe’s top clubs.

As a 15-year-old at Roma, he had already been labelled as the ‘Italian Ibrahimovic’ due to his similarities to the Sweden legend in terms of size and style of play.

He scored 12 goals in 29 games for Genoa last season at a rate of a goal every 104 minutes.

This season he has been one of the breakout stars in Serie A with 15 goals.