Planning for next season is already underway and after securing two free-agent deals in advance, Inter is reportedly looking to add an additional “high-level” forward to the ranks.
Marko Arnautović and Alexis Sánchez, two veteran forwards, returned to the club during the summer of 2023 to complete the offensive department for the 2023-2024 season. For the first half of the season, neither the Austrian nor the Chilean forward were able to contribute effectively with goals or assists in Serie A. As of late, Sánchez has given strong performances, but Arnautović has been struggling with another thigh injury and has been unable to find form.
According to the information of Italian outlet FCInter1908, Inter is looking to sign another “high-level” forward during the 2024 summer window. With the new Champions League format, Inter has qualified for the new FIFA Club World Cup and matches in Serie A and the Coppa Italia, squads across Europe will likely be increased in size due to the sheer amount of potential matches to be played.
Alexis Sánchez is on a one-year contract which is due to expire in June of 2024 and Arnautović could be put on the market, therefore, Inter will need another forward. The club has already secured the signing of free-agent, Mehdi Taremi, Iranian international, but there is still a “hole that cannot be filled” by the 31-year-old alone.
In a report by Italian journalist Pasquale Guarro on CalcioMercato.com, it is stated that Inter would be ready to invest in a “Pavard-style expense”. Benjamin Pavard joined the Nerazzurri from Bayern Munich in August 2023 in a deal worth €30M.
Inter’s market specialists have already begun to scour their options for potential forwards to consider, although no names have been mentioned yet by FCInter1908. A recent report from SkySport Germany has linked Inter to Bologna forward Joshua Zirkzee, so this could be a potential name to keep an eye on as the window approaches.
Honestly, this is much needed. Our forward bench strength has been a sore point all season, which we kinda expected at the start. Alexis Sanchez is more often injured than not, and Arnautovic has followed him into the treatment room, while looking very out of sorts whenever he does play.
It’s a good thing Thuram and Lautaro have over performed relative to expectations this season, but we can’t bank on it forever. We could clearly see the difference in the Champions League. Atletico had 2 starter level forwards coming on in Depay and Correa, while we had to stick with a rapidly tiring Thuram.
I really like Zirkzee, and think he can grow into something special. He is a lot like Lautaro and Thuram though: technically excellent, but tends to drift deeper, despite his frame. I don’t believe he’s scored a single header with Bologna, for instance.
Another interesting option could be Immobile. Things seem to be rapidly deteriorating with Lazio ultras: being insulted at his kid’s school, then in today’s match: an increasingly familiar story (hi Acerbi!). He’s getting older, sure, but is still a beast in Serie A, and could potentially be a lower cost option compared to Zirkzee. Plus, working with Inzaghi, under whom he originally blossomed, may be a strong selling point. Importantly, he’s also a different kind of forward compared to the rest of our lineup, a real reference point and fox in the box type player.