“Our relationship with Inter is excellent”. These are the words of Sassuolo CEO Giovanni Carnevali as the two clubs look set to talk more business in January. With the respective Sporting Directors of both clubs, Ausilio of Inter and Angelozzi of Sassuolo about to sit down and discuss new opportunities, the name of striker Domenico Berardi continues to top the bill. The 22-year-old has been pursued by the nerazzurri for some time and last summer, they once again expressed their admiration for the player.
 

Last June, Inter also had a look to one of their former youth team players, 23-year-old midfielder Alfred Duncan who exploded onto the scene with the neroverde in 2015-16. At the time, Sassuolo were not prepared to sell but in the new year the scenario could be a little different. Next there is defender Francesco Acerbi, Inter would try to include Andrea Ranocchia in any deal to bring the 28-year-old to the San Siro after his loan-spell at Milan in 2012-13.  Another name on the radar of Ausilio is midfielder Luca Mazzitelli who is another product of the Roma youth system and just like Lorenzo Pellegrini, is excelling under the tutelage of Eusebio Di Francesco.  

It’s certain that during the upcoming negotiations, Ausilio will ask for more information on Berardi who is also reportedly wanted by Inter’s new owners, Suning. Any possible deal would be complex however, Juventus already has the jump on them in the race to prize the player away from Sassuolo and the desire of Berardi himself will be important. Inter could try to tempt Sassuolo President Squinzi, known for his love of bringing in top young talent, with some of their young stars such as midfielder Loris Zonta or Albanian striker Rej Manaj. Sassuolo are known admirers of 18-year-old defender Federico Dimarco who is currently on-loan at Empoli but a player that the nerazzurri are reluctant to lose.

By Fabrizio Romano. Adapted & translated by Steve Mitchell