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EXCLUSIVE Romano: How Inter nabbed Sevilla star Banega
According to transfer pundit Fabrizio Romano, Director of Sport Piero Ausilio even went as far as asking Inter loanee to Sevilla, Marco Andreolli, information about the 27-year-old playmaker. We had previously written about Ausilio's secret visits to Spain to negotiate with Sevilla, this at a time when we all thought that Juventus were looking for Banega to complete their midfield.
Javier Zanetti's role must also not be underestimated: now that he can influence the transfer market, he made the most of his personal acquaintance with Banega - a former Argentina team-mate - to convince the playmaker to join the Nerazzurri with or without Champions League football. So, as we anticipated back in January, it was all done then, including the top-secret medical in Milan.
Sevilla's denials would not be enough, though it did force Inter's hand: having wanted to keep everything a secret until March/April, Ausilio had to speed things up, arrange the medical, and throw in a €3 million bonus.
Now Mancini - who has regularly kept in touch and praised Banega- has the playmaker he's always wanted, and a man who has just showcased all his talent to the European continent.
@FabrizioRomano, translated by @EdoDalmonte
