Marcelo Brozovic wants more than £4m-a-year to sign a new contract at Inter Milan, with the Liverpool target now in the last 10-months of his current deal, per Gazzetta dello Sport.
The Reds spent much of the summer extending the contracts of several of their key senior players. Jordan Henderson recently joined Virgil van Dijk, Alisson, Andrew Robertson, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Fabinho in putting pen to paper.
Now, the Nerazzurri are continuing their efforts to secure the futures of some of their first-team stars. Lautaro Martinez is close to agreeing new terms having been the San Siro side’s priority. While Inter also hope to soon extend Brozovic’s commitment to the Serie A outfit.
Brozovic has been reluctant to agree extensions in the past and could again baulk at signing new terms just yet. Chairman Giuseppe Marotta continues to manage Inter Milan’s delicate finances, with a goal of saving more than 20 per cent.
As such, Marotta wants to offer the Croatian a €4m-a-year (£66k-p/w), four-year deal with significant bonuses to renew. But his offer has blocked negotiations, as Brozovic wants at least €5m-a/y (£82k-p/w) and could even push for €6m-a/y (£99k-p/w).
Liverpool will likely pay close attention to any attempt Inter Milan make at overcoming the impasse in discussions with Brozovic. Inter Live claim the Reds are eying a free 2022 move for the midfielder, and would pay him €7-a/y (£115k-p/w).
Marotta likely has considerable work to convince Brozovic to overlook potential transfers to clubs like Liverpool to renew with Inter. Calciomercato recently noted the Serie A title-holders were preparing a €4.5m-a/y (£74k-p/w) offer, which likely included the add-ons.
Should Liverpool target Inter Milan midfielder Brozovic?
Inter Milan will offer Liverpool hope of signing Brozovic if Marotta refuses to bridge the gap between offer and demand. The Croatian holding out for his larger request should prove to be particularly problematic, given Marotta’s plans to reduce spending.
The Nerazzurri will not want to see Brozovic leave for free next year, though, so much can still change. He has started each of their Serie A games so far this season and opened 29 of his 33 appearances as they won the title under former manager Antonio Conte last term.
Brozovic also offers his manager, now Simone Inzaghi, a dynamic and agile operator in the engine room. While Roberto Mancini once hailed the 28-year-old as an ‘incredible’ talent, via FourFourTwo. Having offered a box-to-box spark under the Italian at the San Siro.
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