Christian Eriksen could be set for a dramatic resurgence at Inter Milan after West Ham United and Aston Villa failed to lure the Denmark international away from Inter Milan.
At least, that is the view of former Nerazzuri ace Antonio Cassano, in quotes reported by Voetbal International.
Just five weeks ago, Inter director Beppe Marotta confirmed that Eriksen had been placed on the transfer list with the Serie A challengers looking to cash in on a player who had failed to live up to lofty expectations at the San Siro.
How times have changed.
In the blink of an eye, Eriksen has gone from an £18 million, £300,000-a-week misfit to resurgent star under Antonio Conte.
After firing Inter into the Coppa Italia semi-finals with a stunning, stoppage-time free-kick against bitter rivals AC Milan, the 28-year-old shone in a new-look, deep-lying role during Saturday’s 4-0 thrashing of Benevento.
According to Cassano, Eriksen could be about to rebuild his reputation in a manner reminiscent to the way Andrea Pirlo evolved from a roving attacking midfielder into a tempo-setting number six at Juventus.
“We are talking about a real champion. He just needed confidence, it’s not like he needed to be taught things. Conte has changed his mind about him, I now hope that he will leave Eriksen (to play) and give him the confidence,” former Roma, Real Madrid and Italy ace Cassano said.
“Eriksen is a slightly weaker (version of Luka) Modric. (Modric) could never play for Conte, because he doesn’t defend.
“The situation reminds me of Pirlo at Juventus. At first, he was not part of Conte’s plans but, under pressure from the board, he gave him another chance. Conte invented the 3-5-2 system and won everything there was to be won.”
The Telegraph claims that Leicester City held talks over a deal to bring former Tottenham talisman Eriksen back to England, before balking at his £300,000-a-week wages.
Aston Villa and West Ham also failed to agree a January deal.
According to Corriere dello Sport, approaches from two of the Premier League’s so-called ‘second-tier’ teams did little to tickle his fancy.
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