Barcelona misfit linked with January exit, Italian giants also eye raid on rivals

 

It’s been quite the start to the season for Inter boss Luciano Spalletti, and the club may well be lining up key reinforcements to bolster his squad.

The Nerazzurri sit top of the Serie A table after 16 games, winning 14 of those outings while they remain the only unbeaten side in the Italian top flight.

While they have the advantage of not being in Europe this season which allows them to fully focus on the league, they’ve still impressed and exceeded expectations after Spalletti was appointed in the summer.

In turn, it looks as though the Italian tactician will be rewarded as Calciomercato note how Inter are being linked with two key signings to strengthen the squad.

Although several targets are noted as being on their transfer shortlist, Lazio defender Stefan De Vrij appears to have moved to the top of the list with the Dutchman set to become a free agent at the end of the season.

With no renewal yet signed, Lazio are running the risk of losing a key figure for nothing in seven months time, and Inter could now swoop to take him to the San Siro and offer competition for the likes of Miranda and Milan Skriniar, which will be needed if they seal a return to Europe.

Meanwhile, Barcelona winger Gerard Deulofeu is also being linked with a move to Inter, as he continues to struggle for playing time at the Nou Camp, as per the report.

The 23-year-old has been limited to 16 appearances in all competitions this season, even with summer signing Ousmane Dembele sidelined by injury, and he now looks set to miss out on the World Cup due to that lack of playing time.

Inter could offer him an ideal alternative with an initial loan exit in January, and based on his previous stint with rivals AC Milan, the Spaniard would be a very sensible addition.

Deulofeu bagged four goals and three assists in 17 Serie A games for Milan last season in a six-month loan spell, and a return to Italy could be exactly what he needs as that had seemingly kick-started his career again.