Ivory Coast defender on Inter's radar

Inter president Giuseppe Marotta and Real Madrid president Florentino Perez are waiting for the opinion of Jose Mourinho before entering serious negotiations over the transfer of Alessandro Bastoni to Real Madrid. In the meantime, Inter are already considering possible replacements for the Italian international, and one of the names on their shortlist is Evan Ndicka of Roma. The Ivory Coast international, who also holds a French passport, is viewed as an almost ideal solution. However, there is a significant concern surrounding such a move. The most astute and forward-thinking sporting directors often avoid signing players who represent African national teams because every other year they can be absent for a month or even six weeks during a crucial period of the season—the transition from one calendar year to the next—due to the Africa Cup of Nations.

Maybe not to Barca, but he could end up at Real Madrid — Mourinho has set his sights on Bastoni

Besides Ndicka, Inter continue to ‘weave their net’ around Oumar Solet of Udinese. Unlike Roma's defender, whose arrival would depend on Bastoni being sold, Solet would be signed regardless, given that the contracts of Francesco Acerbi and Matteo Darmian have expired, while Stefan de Vrij has yet to respond to the club's offer of a one-year extension with reduced wages. Meanwhile, Inter sporting director Piero Ausilio and Lazio sporting director Angelo Fabiani have reportedly agreed on all details concerning the transfer of Ivan Provedel. The Lazio goalkeeper is set to join Inter for three million, with only the approval of Lazio owner Claudio Lotito still required. The signing of Provedel should be viewed as more than the acquisition of a backup goalkeeper, since he is considered capable of playing a much larger role.

WORLD CUP - GROUP STAGE (ROUND 2)

Group A

Thursday 18.06.

19.00: (1.80) Czech Republic (3.50) South Africa (4.70)

Friday 19.06.

04.00: (2.10) Mexico (3.30) South Korea (3.70)