Newcastle United are the biggest obstacle standing in Inter Milan’s way as they look to snap up Lille defender Tiago Djalo, Inter live reporting that the Premier League giants are willing to offer more than £17 million.
There are shades, perhaps, of the Mo Salah situation as Inter look to bring Djalo back to Serie A. Salah barely kicked a ball in anger for Chelsea before returning to England with Liverpool; turning Jurgen Klopp’s side into one of Europe’s best. Much to the understandable chagrin of his old employers.
And AC Milan, should Djalo join their city rivals and fulfil the potential that has some labelling him the obvious heir to Portugal legend Pepe, will be left with an expression as green as their San Siro turf. Djalo spent just six months with the Rossoneri back in 2019, failing to make a single first-team appearance before joining Lille for a cut-price £4 million.
So impressive has his development been, Inter are now offering Djalo the chance to show Milan what they’re missing.
Newcastle United rival Inter Milan for Lille defender Tiago Djalo
Djalo’s agent was in the stands for Wednesday’s hard-fought 1-0 Champions League last-16 victory over FC Porto; Romelu Lukaku slamming home a late winner.
The 6ft 3ins Iberian is one of Inter’s top targets to replace the PSG-bound Milan Skriniar. But while Inter Live believe that personal terms are unlikely to be an issue, the same cannot be said of Djalo’s eye-watering price-tag.
An Inter side under pressure from Financial Fair Play are currently ‘unable’ to meet Lille’s demands. The same cannot be said of a Saudi-backed, deep-pocketed Newcastle side. The Magpies are ‘ready’ to pay in excess of £17 million for one of Europe’s most promising young centre-halves.
“I don’t want to lose him,” Lille coach Paulo Fonseca admitted recently (A Bola). “I am very happy with Tiago. He is very important for the team.”
The right-footed Diallo, should he join Eddie Howe, will reunite with his former Lille team-mate Sven Botman. Given that the Dutchman is more comfortable on his left foot, Djalo could slot in nicely alongside Botman.
Then again, the imperious Fabian Schar will take some shifting.
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