Sommer’s excellent debut once again testifies to the quality and ability of Inter’s transfer market. The summer move for the goalkeeper was another successful bet by the management, which, since 2018, in the summer transfer windows, has consistently managed to raise the technical level and quality of the squad.
Here are the best signings in five years of Inter’s transfer market.
Romelu Lukaku
The Belgian’s name is the one that shook up the summer transfer market in 2019 when Marotta and Ausilio outpaced Juventus by writing a check for €74 million to Manchester United.
Sought after persistently by Antonio Conte, Big Rom immediately won everyone over with his goals, forming a deadly partnership with Lautaro Martinez. The 64 goals scored by the Belgian played a crucial role in the 2021 Scudetto triumph.
Despite his subsequent (double) betrayal with his return to Chelsea and the summer soap opera that ended with his transfer to Roma, it still proved to be a good deal because the sale to the Blues in 2021 yielded a whopping €113 million compared to the €8 million spent to bring him back on loan twelve months later.
Nicolò Barella
Marotta’s first summer transfer window at Inter brought to Milan one of the pillars of today and tomorrow’s Inter. It was an important gamble because Cagliari recieved a total of €45 million for the deal (€12 million initially for the loan).
However, Inter ended up with its “future captain,” who has also made a significant impact on the national team, eventually becoming a European champion. Barella‘s numbers speak for themselves, especially in terms of appearances (192) and titles won in Nerazzurri colors (5).
It’s no wonder that several top European clubs are interested in him, however, the 26-year-old from Cagliari, with a contract until 2026, is destined to remain a key figure for Inter many years to come.
Alexis Sanchez
Summer 2019 again: The Chilean arrives in Milan on loan, and the Nerazzurri management manages to give Conte another fan favorite. His contribution is initially limited but significantly improves in the following season (the one in which they won the Serie A title), and “El Nino” even has the satisfaction of scoring crucial goals, like the one on January 12, 2022, that decided the Supercoppa match against Juventus after 120 minutes of hard-fought play. Returning just a month ago, once again at no cost, the Chilean has shown in San Sebastian that he still has something to offer.
Matteo Darmian
Summer 2020 brings the arrival of a “companion” who will end up becoming an essential player for the club. Inter secured him on loan from Parma, and a year later, they paid just over three million to redeem him. It’s a real bargain because the 33-year-old from Legnano has made over 120 appearances, becoming an almost irreplaceable starter last season.
Achraf Hakimi
Among the best deals that Inter (and Marotta) have ever made, it’s a pity that the fans were able to enjoy it for only one season, the one in which they celebrated their 19th Serie A title. The former Real Madrid player arrived in Milan in the summer of 2020 for a fee of €43 million, became the master of the right flank, won, and then packed his bags twelve months later to move to Paris, with Inter receiving €68 million. An irresistible deal, especially in times of financial crisis and the need to raise funds, especially since Inter had identified the ideal replacement at a relatively low cost in the meantime.
Denzel Dumfries
The Moroccan’s replacement comes from PSV, the result of a closely negotiated deal that Inter closed for just under €15 million (including bonuses). Dumfries’ integration is not straightforward; on the contrary, it took some time. However, the Dutchman’s potential is immediately evident. After a brief adaptation period and some intensive lessons from Inzaghi, Dumfries started to shine. He experiences ups and downs, including a post-World Cup period of decline, but this year, he’s started strong, scoring a goal and providing five assists in his first seven appearances for club and country.
Hakan Calhanoglu
Another top-notch market move, amplified by the “snub” to Milan. Yes, because in the summer of 2021, Marotta & Co. pulled off the heist of the year, bringing the Turkish midfielder to the Nerazzurri side of Milan without spending a single cent on the transfer fee. The technical prospects and the €5 million salary guaranteed by Inter convinced Calhanoglu to leave AC Milan. The rest was done by Inzaghi, transforming him into the new playmaker adored by the fans. His recent renewal until 2027, with a corresponding salary increase to €6.5 million, demonstrates the central role that the Turkish player plays in today’s Inter.
Edin Dzeko
A low-cost acquisition, Dzeko was supposed to be a simple backup but ended up being crucial. Brought for just under €3 million from Roma in the summer of 2021, Inter and Inzaghi rejuvenated the “Swan of Sarajevo,” who repaid the trust with crucial goals and outstanding performances. In two years, despite being 35 years old, the former Giallorossi player has made 101 appearances, scoring 31 goals and providing 15 assists at a rate of almost half a decisive contribution per game.
Francesco Acerbi
A last-minute signing that once again proves to be extremely valuable. The central defender from Vizzolo Predabissi arrived on loan from Lazio in the final hours of the transfer market, with Inter desperately searching for a replacement for De Vrij. It takes very little to reverse the hierarchy, with Acerbi becoming the leader of the defense without ever making a mistake. The 35-year-old Lombard’s performance is so positive that the management enters into a long, intense negotiation with Lazio to acquire his contract, eventually securing it for just over €3 million. The well-deserved confirmation comes after 49 appearances in the season, 41 of which were as a starter.
Henrik Mkhitaryan
In terms of value for money, another perfect signing similar to Acerbi. The Armenian arrived a few months before the defender but still at no cost. Anyone in Rome who thought he was past his prime had to quickly change their mind because the 34-year-old from Yerevan has shown remarkable consistency and physical endurance that would make 20-year-olds jealous. Like Acerbi, he made 49 appearances last season, featuring in exciting performances and making crucial contributions (notably the penultimate Champions League derby). In this season’s opening matches, his brace and assist against Milan solidified his status as an idol among the fans.
André Onana
Another love story that lasted just one season, much like Hakimi. The sale of André Onana to Manchester United for €52 million (plus €5 million in bonuses) is a genuine masterpiece, considering he was acquired by Inter Milano just a year ago for nothing. The former Ajax goalkeeper managed to perform at his best under the Milanese team rarely making the mistakes that were frequent in the Netherlands and have now reappeared in England. Performances like those against Napoli (in the league) and Benfica (Champions League) had endeared him to the Nerazzurri fans, but the offer put forward by the Red Devils was too good to refuse.
Yann Sommer
For just €6 million, Inter quickly found a worthy replacement for the Cameroonian. Initially seen as a “Plan B,” the experience and charisma of the Swiss goalkeeper contributed to changing perspectives. The pathways of the transfer market and the cost-containment policy played their part in convincing Inter to go all-in on the 34-year-old from Morges. It took just his first five appearances to convince everyone, even the most skeptical, with three clean sheets and a handful of miraculous saves in the challenging away match against San Sebastian against Sociedad.
Davide Frattesi
The new homegrown gem, the result of a real market sprint that beat out competition from Milan, Juventus, and Roma. Inter reached an agreement with Sassuolo for a fee of €27 million (payable in multiple installments) and, in one swoop, found the new midfield talent for both the future and the present of the club. Inzaghi is gradually introducing him into the team, taking advantage of a deep squad that is already well-established midfield with Barella and Mkhitaryan. However, Frattesi has already sent clear and unequivocal signals: his brace against Ukraine and the goal in the derby are strong arguments for an immediate role. In the eyes of Inter, they have secured a potential cornerstone for the future at a remarkably low cost.
Marcus Thuram
The most recent zero-cost signing, yet destined to become one of the most significant in recent Nerazzurri history. Chased for two years, Thuram eventually arrived in Milan, patiently waiting for his previous contract with Gladbach to expire. Marotta and Ausilio made an impact on the player’s mind and heart, as he rejected strong interest from Milan and other top European clubs, including Bayern. His splendid goal in the derby, which came after celebrating his first international goal, was a guarantee of yet another successful gamble by the current management, bringing another top player to Appiano without spending a single euro.
