Inter Milan drops Lookman, focuses funds on acquiring a “midfield enforcer”

20/08/2025 15:43:00 ScoreStream

Inter has officially notified Ademola Lookman’s agent that they are no longer interested in signing the striker. This isn’t a matter of price, but rather a strategic shift based on coach Cristian Chivu’s directive: the club will prioritize acquiring a strong central midfielder to support a tactical transformation.

This change is the result of practical evaluations during preseason. Coach Chivu, along with the management, recognized that to play a more intense, direct pressing game in the 3-4-2-1 or 3-4-1-2 system, Inter needs to add muscle to the midfield. They require a midfielder with superior defensive and physical qualities to provide balance and act as a launching pad for technical talents like Barella, Calhanoglu, or Sucic. This need is deemed more urgent than spending over 40 million euros on an attacker, especially since young forwards Pio Esposito and Bonny have integrated quickly.

The number one target for this position is Manu Kone from AS Roma. The 24-year-old French midfielder is regarded as the ideal type, perfectly combining physical power and technical ability. The transfer appeared to have fallen through, but circumstances are changing. AS Roma reportedly needs to sell players to raise funds for attacking signings, as requested by coach Gasperini, and Kone might be the one to go. Inter is closely monitoring the situation and is ready to allocate the entire 40-50 million euro budget originally set aside for Lookman to Kone as soon as Roma gives the green light.

Inter has redirected its attention from Ademola Lookman to Manu Kone.

To achieve this major objective, Inter is actively gathering funds. They have already secured around 47 million euros by selling several less essential players, including Nicola Zalewski (17 million euros to Atalanta), Tajon Buchanan, Sebastiano Esposito, the Stankovic brothers, and others. This amount is expected to increase further. Kristjan Asllani is almost certain to move to Bologna, while Benjamin Pavard is also being considered for sale if a reasonable offer (about 18-20 million euros) is received.

With the Lookman deal off, Inter’s attack will temporarily rely on the current squad. Coach Chivu is considering internal options, like pushing Davide Frattesi further forward to utilize his ability to break into the box, or deploying newcomer Bonny as a winger. Inter may only look for a new striker in the final days of the transfer window if a suitable opportunity arises. Clearly, the European runners-up have adopted a decisive strategy: everything is focused on achieving midfield balance to support Chivu’s new vision for the team.

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