With new rules regarding homegrown player quotas and limited squad numbers being introduced into Serie A, Roberto Mancini’s side is in need of some trimming down, especially considering the fact that Inter will only be competing in domestic competitions this term.
There were far too many passengers performing in the colours of the Nerazzurri in 2014-15.
An eighth place finish left the club in a somewhat perilous position upon the season’s conclusion. Luckily, that has been made right with some big signings in the transfer market thus far.
Big departures, however, are expected to follow in order for the club to remain within the 25-man squad limit in place for clubs in Italy’s top flight this coming season.
With the squad taking shape under the 50-year-old manager in pre-season and new signings being bedded into the squad, Mancini has a clear idea on who he wants around and who he wants to ship out.
Nemanja Vidic
The former Manchester United skipper endured a below-par 2014-15 at the San Siro.
Failure to adapt to a back-three under Walter Mazzarri earlier on in the season, as well as being unable to exert his leadership upon the rest of his defensive counterparts led to the Serbian losing his place in the squad for periods of the season.
With the additions of Jeison Murillo and João Miranda at centre-back, playing time will look to be increasingly scarce this coming season for the Champions League winner.
Everton are rumoured to be in the hunt for Vidic, however, the 33-year-old’s high wages may prove to be a stumbling block for any potential deal.
Marco Andreolli
Another centre-back on the list, Andreolli’s ability does not stack up too well in comparison to those fighting for a starting spot under Mancini in the centre of defence.
29-year-old Andreolli looks the odd one out in a central-defensive cohort that includes the aforementioned Vidic, Juan Jesus, club captain Andrea Ranocchia, and new arrivals Murillo and Miranda.
Without European football as well, the Italian’s first team prospects may be even further limited in 2015-16. Serie A rivals Genoa are reportedly attempting to lure the centre-back to the Stadio Luigi Ferraris.
Saphir Taïder
The Algerian played a role for his country in the 2014 World Cup, impressing enough to earn himself a loan move to Southampton early on in the season. This did not work out though, as the deal was terminated due to the player being unable to adhere to the commitment levels expected of him at the South Coast club.
Even an impressive season on loan at Sassuolo has not deterred the club’s impression of the 23-year-old, as Inter still wish to get the player off their books.
The arrival of midfield powerhouse Geoffrey Kondogbia will further limit the French-born Algerian international’s role in the first team at the San Siro, despite featuring heavily for Inter during pre-season.
Premier League new-boys Watford are believed to be interested in acquiring Taider’s services, though this is understood to only include a one-year loan deal.
Yuto Nagatomo
The Japanese fullback only turned out for the Nerazzurri 14 times in Serie A last season due to ongoing injury issues. With centre-back Juan and Davide Santon seemingly ahead of the 28-year-old in the pecking order for a starting XI berth, and Barcelona loanee Martín Montoya and Danilo D’Ambrosio preferred at right-back, it would not make a lot of sense for Nagatomo to remain at the Giuseppe Meazza.
As the club looks to slash the wage bill and reduce the squad number to 25, the Japanese international may be one of the unfortunate casualties to make way, with West Bromwich Albion and Galatasaray reportedly set to battle it out for the full-back’s signature.
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Xherdan Shaqiri
One of the more bizarre transfer sagas in transfer windows gone by, Swiss international Shaqiri looks to be on his way out of Inter after only arriving earlier in the year. There is no doubting that the 23-year-old has got an astonishing amount of talent, however Mancini simply does not seem to rate the former Bayern Munich man, despite his previous showings for the Bavarians.
The allegedly agreed £12 million move to Stoke City did not materialise, though the winger seems interested in a move back to the Bundesliga, with Schalke said to be in the driving seat to obtain the FC Basel youth product’s signature.
Another rumour making the rounds is a swap deal involving Wolfsburg’s Ivan Perišic, who would add quality to the team, though would not represent good value if Shaqiri was to make way. Despite his obvious quality, the tricky winger looks to be on his way out, having not featured once for Inter in pre-season.
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