Inter Milan are likely to favour a loan deal for Liverpool left-back Konstantinos Tsimikas over a move for Manchester United defender Alex Telles this summer, per Calciomercato.
The Nerazzurri want to improve Simone Inzaghi’s full-back options after the departure of Ashley Young, but must remain conscious of their limited finances. Gazzetta dello Sport claimed the San Siro outfit had to raise €100m (£85m) this off-season to balance the books.
But Young’s exit on a free transfer after the expiration of his contract has left a gap in Inzaghi’s ranks. The Italian admires what Marcos Alonso would offer, but Inter know Chelsea will be tough negotiators after missing out to Paris Saint-Germain for Achraf Hakimi.
Nerazzurri Chairman Giuseppe Marotta and Sporting Director Piero Ausilio will continue to monitor Alonso in case a deal is possible. Yet Inter have turned attention to more realistic Premier League options in Telles and Tsimikas, plus Manchester City’s Benjamin Mendy.
Inter would ideally like to sign either Liverpool’s Tsimikas or Manchester United’s Telles on loan. However, the Reds defender is emerging as the Serie A champions top target given their circumstances.
Nerazzurri chiefs believe Tsimikas has a lower market value to Telles and would demand less in wages. He is also four years younger, so would be the more interesting option with a view to a longer-term deal.
Liverpool only signed Tsimikas from Olympiakos last summer for £12m, while Manchester United paid Porto £13.5m for Telles in October. The Greek also signed a five-year contract, while the Brazilian penned a four-year deal with the option to extend by 12-months.
Neither were able to establish themselves, though, with Tsimikas playing twice and Telles nine times in the Premier League.
Manchester United key to Liverpool rebuffing Inter interest in Tsimikas
While Jurgen Klopp scarcely backed Tsimikas at Liverpool last season, the German will want to rebuff any Inter Milan pursuit. He will need the £60,000-per-week full-back for his own depth and will fear being left short if without Andrew Robertson.
The Reds boss also praised Tsimikas last August after beating Stuttgart 3-0 in a friendly. “He is a pretty quick player and pretty confident,” Klopp said, via the Liverpool Echo. “He is a good player – a really good player.” And will hope to see Tsimikas deliver that all season.
Manchester United, then, could be key, as the Red Devils warming to a low-priced deal for Telles may see the Nerazzurri stay away from raiding Anfield this summer. It could take one-sided terms, though, as the Brazilian earns £93k-a/w at Old Trafford and cost them more.
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