Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly prepared to sign Nahitan Nandez in the January transfer window, but Inter Milan may present Fabio Paratici with competition, per Calciomercato.
Nerazzurri Chairman Giuseppe Marotta has promised head coach Simone Inzaghi that they will strengthen his midfield during the winter sales. Inzaghi desperately wants cover for Marcelo Brozovic, who could also leave at the end of his contract next June.
Sports Director Piero Ausilio has begun assembling a list of options who fit their technical and financial requirements, including Nandez. Brozovic is indispensable as he offers Inzaghi a tactically astute player who breaks up opposition moves and spreads play across the field.
Nicolo Barella could offer Inzaghi a ready-made replacement for Brozovic from within the Nerazzurri squad in a holding role. The prospect of the Italian moving deeper has therefore seen Ausilio re-examine Nandez’s situation at Cagliari.
Inter came close to signing Nandez this summer, only for their transfer to fall through at the last moment. FC Inter News reported the midfielder had agreed a €3m-a-year (£49k-a/w) contract. Now, the San Siro side risk Paratici leaving them red faced in the winter, as CalcioNapoli24 report Tottenham are ready to finalise a mid-season transfer for Nandez.
Tottenham signing Nandez would also deal Napoli a blow, as the Azzurri likewise admire the 25-year-old. But, as Calciomercato note, Cagliari’s €30m (£25.5m) valuation is scaring the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona outfit from pursuing a deal.
Should Tottenham battle Inter Milan for Nandez transfer in January?
Tottenham, like Inter Milan, wanted Nandez in the summer, and may now battle for his transfer come the January sales. La Nuova claimed Paratici spoke with Cagliari over loaning him for €10m (£8.5m), plus a €15m-20m (£13m-17m) obligation to buy.
The bid was ultimately not enough, but Nandez’s future is more and more likely away from Cagliari. His agent, Pablo Bentancur, recently confirmed to CalcioNapoli24 that they are looking to seal a mid-season move, stating:
“[President Tommaso] Giulini has promised the player and me to do everything possible so that he leaves in the January market. Nandez wants to win something; he wants to play in the Champions League. The president has given us his word.”
So, Tottenham or Inter Milan could strengthen with a transfer for Nandez, adding a robust presence to their midfields. And one who can also offer Nuno Espirito Santo or Inzaghi a versatile option, with regular minutes at right midfield.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
