Exclusive: Inter look to shield young promise from Juve's interest | by Emanuele Tramacere
We’ve often written about the mistakes Inter have made with youth in these pages, from their essential trade of Marco Benassi for Danilo D’Ambrosio (though Benassi was still on a co-ownership, where Inter lost the auction), to the way in which they’ve handled Federico Bonazzoli, who was sent to Sampdoria and has since lost his way in Serie B.
Now, it appears that Juventus are lying in wait, hoping that the Nerazzurri make another big mistake.
The talent in question, Andrea Pinamonti, has been a prolific scorer for the Primavera, netting ten times in seven games with Inter’s Under-21 side.
He scored last night for Italy’s Under-19s against Switzerland (1-1), helping Italy qualify to the next stage of the European Championships.
The 17-year-old’s talent hasn’t gone unnoticed, and has attracted a number of big clubs, including Juventus. Just like Gigi Donnarumma of Milan, the fact that he is a minor means that he has yet to sign a pro deal, potentially allowing Juventus to sneak in and steal him away.
Juventus’ attempts will hopefully meet with stiff resistance, if his agents’ good relations with sporting director Piero Ausilio have anything to do with it: they also represent both Eder and Andrea Ranocchia, two fellow Inter players.
It also appears that Inter, afraid of the Bonazzoli precedent, may want to loan Pinamonti out… but no more, so as to ensure that he is always linked to his parent club, where competition up front is stiff. Will it be enough?
