Teenage Defenders From Ligue 1 & La Liga Top Inter Milan Shortlist For A Big Defensive Signing

Nantes’s Nathan Zeze and Valencia’s Yarek Gasiorowski are the two defenders at the top of Inter Milan’s shortlist of defensive targets.

This according to today’s print edition of Rome-based newspaper Corriere dello Sport, via FCInterNews. They report that the prospective fees for the two teenagers would be the major obstacles.

In the twenty days or so that remain of the transfer window, Inter are planning to sign a defender.

The Nerazzurri’s plan is clear. They want to bring in a player who can back up Alessandro Bastoni on the left side of the back three.

That is the indirect result of a serious injury to wingback Tajon Buchanan.

The Canadian suffered a broken leg in training while with his national team at the Copa America.

With Buchanan on the sidelines for the first few months of this coming season, Inter will require Carlos Augusto to play predominantly on the left flank.

That means that the Brazilian cannot back up Bastoni regularly in the defense, as he had often done last season.

As the Corriere notes, Buchanan suffered his leg break weeks ago. Inter have been strategizing to sign a left-sided defender for over a month.

But with three weeks remaining in the window, the Nerazzurri must make a move sooner or later.

Nathan Zeze & Yarek Gasiorowski Top Inter Defensive Shortlist

Inter had reportedly been on the verge of a deal for defender Juan Cabal before he instead joined Juventus.

Meanwhile the likes of Zenit St. Petersburg’s Robert Renan, Arsenal’s Jakub Kiwior, and Genoa’s Johan Vazquez have also been on the Nerazzurri’s radar.

These targets represent Inter’s focus on signing a younger defender.

That is a reflection of Nerazzurri owners Oaktree Capital’s priority. They want to invest in a young player for the future.

And according to the Corriere, there are two names that really stand out in that regard.

Both of Nantes defender Zeze and Valencia defender Gasiorowski are nineteen years of age.

And in both cases, the young defenders have convinced Inter that they have the right qualities to grow into top players in their position.

But the real problem with both concerns the price tag.

Reports indicate that Nantes want €30 million for Zeze. And Valencia could exercise an option to extend Gasiorowski’s contract that would see his release clause rise to €45 million.