Mehdi Benatia is thought to be the focal point of Inter’s plans to reshape their squad for next season.
After finishing eighth in Serie A to miss out on a return to Europe, the Nerazzurri have identified the defender as the perfect man to build their defence around and Bayern Munich appear prepared to negotiate.
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, the Bundesliga champions want €22m for the Moroccan international captain, aiming to recoup as much of the €26m they paid Roma last season for the 28-year-old.
Inter’s ability to fund the deal could rest on the whether the projected transfer of Mateo Kovacic to Liverpool happens. If the Croatian does swap the Giuseppe Meazza for Anfield, it could also open the door to pursue other targets.
With Yaya Toure staying at Manchester City, sporting director Piero Ausilio is said to be considering a Frenchman and a trio of Brazilians; Geoffrey Kondogbia at Monaco, one-time Juventus man Felipe Melo, Allan of Udinese, Liverpool’s Lucas Leiva or Brazilian-born Italian international Thiago Motta.
There is also a possibility of a quick return to the Italian peninsula for ex-Fiorentina winger Juan Cuadradro, subject to a loan now buy later deal to take the Colombian from Chelsea to Inter.
