The Nerazzurri sorely lacked creativity in the middle of the park this past season and sealing a free transfer from the Europa League finalists represents an impressive coup for the club.
“Banega is a player with quality and character, and will definitely help us,” Mancini told GR Parlamento.
It has been reported that the player will receive an annual salary of approximately €3 million.
Inter are hard-pressed to fall within UEFA’s Financial Fair Play parameters and will thus continue to search for bargains in an attempt to both balance the books as well as improve on a disappointing season.
“We cannot afford to spend a whole lot, so we must be careful not to make mistakes,” Mancini added.
The Beneamata are reportedly close to acquiring left-back Caner Erkin on a Bosman transfer from Fenerbahce and have also shown interest in pending free agents Gregory van der Wiel, Martin Caceres, Sofiane Feghouli and Tonny Vilhena.