The shiver down the backs of the fans for Calhanoglu lasted less than forty-eight hours, the frost that fell between Dumfries and Inter took a few more months but in the end, yes, that too melted under the rays of the summer sun. Denzel thought about it, he began his European Championship as a player with his future on hold and then he decided: with the orange shirt on he realized that that is the only possible and — rightly — admissible alternative outfit to the black and blue stripes. His tomorrow will most likely still be at Inter, as well as that of Lautaro, Barella, Dimarco, Bastoni and all the other starters of the scudetto, including the coach, of course: for Simone Inzaghi it is a question of time, the signature on the renewal until 2026 will arrive, as president Beppe Marotta said yesterday: “The discussion will end with everyone’s happiness, before the start of the championship”. Maybe even before the rally on July 13. The children of the second star have sweated and fought to pin it on their chest and they have no intention of changing air now that the best part is coming.
from one championship to another
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Likewise, Inter does not intend to demobilize after a year that has gone down in history for its twentieth championship in the trophy cabinet but also for the change at the helm of ownership, from Suning to Oaktree. And so, when it looks in the mirror to sort out the last details before inaugurating the new season, Inter will happily discover itself the same: we are far from the post-2021 Scudetto, when two great tricolor pillars such as Hakimi and Lukaku had to say goodbye. Marotta again: “We are calm, we have a strong ownership behind us and we do not need any big sales. We are ready to start like this, barring unpredictability. But the same goes for incoming players…” Thanks to what has already been done so far by moving well in advance, this Inter will not only keep all its champions with it, but will double up. In every corner of the pitch: from Josep Martinez to Taremi, from Zielinski to Frattesi, Inzaghi will have a luxury alternative – or an added starter, you decide – for every role. Numbers from a top European club, numbers from a team ready to attack Serie A, the Champions League and the Club World Cup without having to count the squad.
the dumfries turning point
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The last to join the club of the happy and renewed, we were saying, will be Denzel Dumfries. Inter had moved for him in time, last winter, and expected to close with the same timing and figures as Dimarco’s renewal: on Dumfries’ table, expiring in twelve months, a proposal of 4 million plus bonuses until 2027 arrived. The request was based on other numbers: 5.5 million per season, more than double the 2.5 million currently in the paycheck. On the subject, Inter held firm as for other hot negotiations, see Lautaro: no increases. The strategy has paid off, because Toro has promised himself until 2029 with a salary that will reach 9 million net plus bonuses – instead of the 12 initially requested -: Lautaro will possibly sign by the end of the Copa America and will join Barella, who has already signed his contract: the official announcement on the renewal of 6.5 million expiring in 2029 came three weeks ago. Here, the strategy of Marotta, of the sporting director Piero Ausilio and of the sports area has also produced its effects on Dumfries, who in recent days has swerved in the direction of Inter: “Both he and we want to reach an agreement to extend and improve his contract”, confirmed Ausilio yesterday. The white smoke has never been so close.
golden ciliegina
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There is still a signature missing, but the contract in question is currently blank: if Albert Gudmundsson signs it, Inzaghi’s attack will be further rejuvenated and will have more variety of options. The Icelander from Genoa can arrive on a costly loan with an obligation to buy, no sacrifices would be necessary. However, someone needs to make room for him: “We are very happy with Arnautovic”, said Ausilio. Unpredictability permitting, of course.
