Ex AC Milan & Atletico Madrid Defenders Top Inter Milan Defensive Shortlist

Ricardo Rodriguez and Mario Hermoso are Inter Milan’s two top targets in defense for the summer transfer window.

This according to today’s print edition of Rome-based newspaper Corriere dello Sport, via FCInterNews.

Inter are set to make a signing in defense.

And the Nerazzurri have a specific profile in mind. They want to sign a player who is capable of playing on the left of a back three.

Inter Sporting Director Piero Ausilio admitted that this is the club’s strategy.

The reason for this is that the Nerazzurri want to use Carlos Augusto exclusively as a wingback to cover for the injury to Tajon Buchanan.

The Canadian will miss the first few months of next season.

And Augusto had played at both wingback and in the back three last season. He had been a regular backup option to Alessandro Bastoni on the left of the defensive line.

Therefore, with the Brazilian tied up on the flank, Inter are aiming to have more cover on the left of the back three.

Ricardo Rodriguez & Mario Hermoso Top Inter Defensive Shortlist

Given the unexpected nature of having to cover for Buchanan in this manner, Inter have not exactly been planning to spend big on a defender.

Therefore, the Nerazzurri’s approach will be to sign a player either on a free transfer or at low cost.

And there are two options that particularly fit Inter’s need who are currently available for nothing.

Defender Ricardo Rodriguez proved himself to have the ideal profile to play on the left of a back three across four seasons at Torino.

That is also the role that the former AC Milan defender plays for the Swiss national team.

Meanwhile, defender Mario Hermoso has played principally on the left of a back three for Atletico Madrid in recent seasons.

Therefore, the Corriere report, it is these two who Inter are focusing their attention on in their hunt for a defender.