MARKET ROUTES OF INTER
36 hours in London for Miranda and Dembele.
New contract to the Brazilian until 2020, there is still no signature. Ausilio and Gardini favorite for the Belgian.
The blitz in London by Inter lasted around 36 hours: departed from Milan late Wednesday morning, returned last night. On the agenda of this trip was the renewal of Miranda’s contract who is training with the Brazilian national team at the Tottenham training facility. And then, sporting director Piero Ausilio and CFO Giovanni Gardini also had the chance to see the London club: relationship between both sides is very good. Discussing Mousa Dembele was inevitable as the Belgian is one of two dream signings (the other is Chiesa) for Luciano Spalletti.
Sponsor Luciano - But let’s go back to the beginning and start in order from Joao Miranda who has an expiring contract in 2019. Ausilio has offered him an economic adjustment until June 2020 when the Brazilian defender will be almost 36 years old. This was discussed both Wednesday afternoon and yesterday morning at Enfield Training Centre. An acceleration inspired especially by Luciano Spalletti who wanted to confirm Miranda because the coach considers him an important leader not only on the field but also in the dressing room. Miranda is taking time but there is optimism. “In the back, in terms of central defenders, I want Skriniar, De Vrij, Miranda and Ranocchia” is the indication of the 59 year-old coach from Certaldo to Ausilio and Gardini. They are doing their best to satisfy the coach and together with the continuous refusal to negotiate for Skriniar despite massive interest is a good indication. Big clubs in Premier League, and Barcelona in particular, are always there, wearing sunglasses, around Inter headquarters. However, the 23 year-old has decided: “I am already at a big club,” he told Sme Sport. What shirt do I dream of, besides Inter’s? This is not a question that I can answer now: I will play against it in the Champions League, it would not be right…” In short, very little margin to negotiate for Skriniar: he wants to stay in the city of Milan.
Liking Mousa - A meeting with Spurs management was inevitable, as said previously. “we have not opened negotiations of any kind, just talk among friends,” said Ausilio. And a joke: “Are you always going to be interested in Lamela?” “No” was the response of Ausilio (with a smile). It is however normal that at this stage of the season, teams have at least been informally compared to certain market opportunities. And Dembele (contract expires in 2019) is really liked by Spalletti. In short, Ausilio has certainly reiterated that he wants the front seat in the even that the London club decides to sell the 30 year-old Belgian midfielder who has 74 appearances and five goals with the national team. The overall feeling with the player’s representatives is also very good. It must be said that the strong candidacy of Pochettino to the bench of Real Madrid could force Tottenham to block any negotiation pending the eventual arrival of a new coach. In any case, the impression is that Inter have acquired a small advantage over the competition. Bases have been laid, foundation has been found, nothing official even if the presence of Giovanni Gardini, very important man under Zhang’s staff, has an incredible importance in this blitz of Inter. Certainly Gardini, among other things was born in London, has also taken a very careful look at the new training center of Tottentham as Inter are constantly evolving in terms of infrastructure.
No lunch - Summing up: Wednesday was dedicated to Miranda and to Tottenham, dinner at the city center, then a trip to Enfield Training Centre yesterday morning, then off to a series of meetings with agents in London for a quick outlook on things. “I have not even had lunch…” Ausilio said yesterday as he returned to the city.