Kristjan Asllani is already unhappy at Inter Milan after choosing the Serie A giants over Premier League duo Newcastle United and West Ham, according to Tuttomercatoweb.
Eight appearances in his first few months at a major European club may feel like a fairly respectable tally for the 20-year-old San Siro newbie. It’s not the amount of games, however, but the amount of minutes that has the Albanian’s hands wringing and his toes twitching.
Asllani has played a grand total of 180 minutes in all competitions. Just 16 of those have come in the Champions League.
With Hakan Calhanoglu, Nicolo Barella and Marcelo Brozovic all ahead of him in Simone Inzaghi’s pecking order, the former Empoli youngster must have known that opportunities would be much harder to come by at Inter.
Reports that he Asllani is ‘not happy’ and already asking to leave in the January transfer window, however, hardly suggest that the 20-year-old is planning to stick around and battle for his place, having seemingly come to the conclusion that he may already be fighting a losing battle.
Kristjan Asllani could leave Serie A giants Inter Milan already
“He is a very interesting guy, destined for a great club,” says Albania coach Edy Reja of Asllani.
“And, in March, I gave him debut with the senior national team against Spain. Even though he is still under 21. The impression (he made) was excellent. He knows how to play in an intelligent way and has two excellent feet.”
According to Alfredo Pedulla, Newcastle held talks to bring Asllani to St James’ Park over the summer. West Ham United and Leicester City were also keen on one of Serie A’s 2021/22 breakthrough talents (Calciomercato).
Time will tell if Premier League trio plan to renew their interest in the New Year; taking advantage of Asllani’s wanderlust. First-team football is unlikely to be guaranteed at St James’ Park or the London Stadium either; both Newcastle and West Ham boast plenty of depth in the centre of the park these days.
Relegation-threatened Leicester, however, could make good use of Asllani’s energy and drive. Especially with Youri Tielemans and Wilfried Ndidi a long way short of their best. The languid Boubakary Soumare, meanwhile, simply looks unsuited to the speed of English football.
Tielemans’ contract expires in the summer of 2023. There is a very real chance that he could leave the King Power Stadium for nothing.
Brendan Rodgers’ Foxes take on fellow strugglers Leeds United at Elland Road tonight.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
