Inter Milan Sporting Director Shuts Down Speculation Linking Elite Stars With Exit: “Important & Strong Players Are Still Here” | OneFootball

Inter Milan sporting director Piero Ausilio has addressed the club’s transfer strategy amid relentless speculation.

During his latest interview via FCInterNews, Ausilio reiterated Inter’s ambition to keep all first-team stars.

Though this is a transitional summer at San Siro, the Nerazzurri’s desire to stay at the top remains unchanged.

Indeed, Cristian Chivu has replaced Simone Inzaghi at the helm, with four players already joining the squad.

However, Inter will not put the brakes on their spending spree yet.

Chivu’s men are eager to sign Atalanta star Ademola Lookman after agreeing personal terms with the player.

Furthermore, Parma’s Giovanni Leoni remains among the club’s top priorities.

Despite Parma’s substantial €40 million asking price, Inter haven’t given up hope of landing the 18-year-old.

Meanwhile, some players will leave.

Kristjan Asllani and Mehdi Taremi are out of the project, with the Nerazzurri expected to cash in on their flops.

Additionally, Hakan Calhanoglu could leave the club after drawing interest from Fenerbahce.

Inter Milan Sporting Director Piero Ausilio Underlines Market Plans

UDINE, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 18:Piero Ausilio of FC Internazionale during the Serie A match between Udinese Calcio and FC Internazionale at Dacia Arena on September 18, 2022 in Udine, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

“All of Inter’s important and strong players are still here, and we’ve added three more,” he said.

“Francesco Pio Esposito has proven himself and will stay. Plus, we redeemed Zalewski.

“People are saying Inter should aim just to qualify for the Champions League – well, that’s fine.”

Then, he talked about Inter’s interest in Lookman.

“There’s no specific plan. I can confirm that we’ve expressed our intentions to Atalanta.

“Lookman is under contract with another club, which rightly makes its own assessments.

“We’ve told Atalanta what we needed to say, and now we’re waiting, hoping our offer will be considered.

“It’s clear we have a preference for this player, but we also respect the timing.

“We don’t want to drag on any negotiation. We want to deliver the players the coach wants as soon as possible.

“As for Lookman, the player is open to joining Inter. But we’ll try to handle things as correctly as possible, since Atalanta is also a friendly club.”

Denzel Dumfries & Defensive Changes

MILAN, ITALY – MAY 18: Denzel Dumfries of FC Internazionale celebrates scoring his team’s second goal during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and SS Lazio at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on May 18, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Leoni ranks highly on Inter’s shortlist, but the Nerazzurri may not accelerate their pursuit of the 18-year-old.

Indeed, Ausilio believes Chivu has enough quality at the back.

“I’m not convinced we need to reinforce our defense. We have seven players, all of absolute quality.

“There are also young players like Bisseck and Bastoni, who seems like a seasoned veteran but is only 26 and already has great experience.

“Leoni is a player we like, but as with all strong players, it’s hard to talk about them because they belong to another club.”

Meanwhile, Denzel Dumfries could leave the club after Jorge Mendes offered him to Barcelona.

However, Ausilio played down such talks.

“We haven’t received any inquiry from Barcelona—nothing has ever happened.

“I can confirm there is a release clause, which came at a particular moment.

“However, I think we did well to protect the club’s asset by renewing Dumfries’ contract when there was a risk of losing him for free.

“I assure you, the clause scared you more than it did us – Inter is calm, and he’s happy to stay.”

Other Deals

MILAN, ITALY – MAY 06: Davide Frattesi of FC Internazionale celebrates scoring his team’s fourth goal with teammates Stefan de Vrij and Nicola Zalewski during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Semi Final Second Leg match between FC Internazionale Milano and FC Barcelona at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on May 06, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)

Davide Frattesi looks destined for a more prominent role under Chivu after nearly leaving the club in January.

“We haven’t received any offers for Frattesi,” Ausilio confirmed. “But we would’ve said no anyway because Davide is part of Chivu’s project.”

Moreover, he admitted Inter would never consider selling Marcus Thuram.

“Marcus is absolutely off the market.”

Then, he addressed the future of Yann Sommer.

“Nothing has happened, and I don’t think anything will.

“Sommer, Martinez, and Di Gennaro will be the goalkeepers fighting for the opportunities given by the coach.”

On the other hand, Asllani and Sebastiano Esposito could be on their way out.

“No club is closer to signing Asllani or Esposito today,” Ausilio added. “There are just rumors and a few phone calls, but no concrete leads.

“After three years, we think it’s right for him to find different opportunities to play more regularly.

“But let’s not forget he’s made 100 appearances for Inter and is a player for the Albanian national team.

“A project elsewhere is ideal for him at this moment.”

Hakan Calhanoglu & New Formation

MILAN, ITALY – MARCH 11: Hakan Calhanoglu of FC Internazionale celebrates scoring his team’s second goal during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Round of 16 Second Leg match between FC Internazionale Milano and Feyenoord at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on March 11, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Inter will likely undergo a minor formational tweak under Chivu.

Indeed, the Romanian coach will turn Inzaghi’s 3-5-2 set-up into a 3-4-2-1, hence the club’s interest in Lookman.

Ausilio has no doubt in his mind as he insists the club and the manager see eye to eye.

“Nothing is improvised. We have a capable and well-prepared coach with clear ideas.

“Everything was agreed upon with him, including signings.

“You saw more continuity at the Club World Cup in the States because there wasn’t much time to work.

“However, Chivu will definitely prepare something special with the team once we start training.”

Finally, he delivered his verdict on Calhanoglu’s uncertain future.

After Galatasaray’s failed attempt to sign the 31-year-old, Fenerbahce have joined the race.

But Ausilio doesn’t see the ex-AC Milan star leaving San Siro this summer.

“There’s absolutely no problem with Calhanoglu. He’s a top player who’s given a lot and still has a lot to give to Inter.

“We count on him immensely. All top players draw attention.

“Someone did approach us, but in a reckless way, without showing respect for the club where the player is under contract.

“We had contact with Galatasaray and quickly realized there was nothing serious.

“It’s important to highlight that Calhanoglu has never asked to leave Inter.”