Inter Milan are considering moves one of Atalanta defenders Rafael Toloi or Jose Luis Palomino to reinforce their backline.
This according to today’s print edition of Rome-based newspaper Corriere dello Sport, via FCInterNews, who report that Nerazzurri coach Simone Inzaghi is more inclined towards signing the left-footed Palomino.
Inter have made several signings already this summer – but one player conspicuously absent has been a replacement for Milan Skriniar.
The Slovakian’s departure has left a gaping hole in the Nerazzurri’s defensive options. The fact that Danilo D’Ambrosio has followed him out the exit door hasn’t helped.
Inter had looked close to signing Cesar Azpilicueta from Chelsea to replace Skriniar.
However, that deal fell through at the eleventh hour as the Spaniard chose to instead join Atletico Madrid.
So in the past few weeks, Inter have been looking at other options to replace Skriniar. But what they haven’t done is actually make a deal to sign anyone.
One player who Inter have been persistently linked with is Atalanta defender Merih Demiral.
The 25-year-old former Juventus and Sassuolo defender looks all but certain to depart from Bergamo this summer. And he reportedly would be keen on making the move to Inter.
However, the Nerazzurri have yet to get La Dea to open up to any possibility of a loan deal for Demiral.
But there are other defenders who could leave Atalanta this summer. Both Toloi and Palomino see their current contracts with the Bergamasque club expire at the end of next June.
Italian international Toloi would fit in naturally in a back three, having played on the right of Atalanta’s back three for the better part of a decade under Gian Piero Gasperini.
However, according to the Corriere, Inzaghi actually prefers the right-footed Palomino.
The Argentine is in danger of losing his place in Atalanta’s starting eleven. The emergence of Giorgio Scalvini and the arrival of Sead Kolasinac make sure of that.
