The Real Reason Why Inter Milan Have Been Targeting Youngsters Recently
Written By Onyeka Daniel
According to a report from Tuttomercatoweb, Inter Milan and Bologna are both tracking teenage Mechelen midfielder Ngal’ayel Mukau for the upcoming summer transfer window. The Belgian side have had a solid season, finishing in midtable in the Jupiler Pro League table.
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And the contributions of Mukaku have been a key part of that.Mukau came through the youth tanks at Mechelen. The 19-year-old was born in Beglian, and is of Congolese ancestry. He has made youth team appearances for both Belgium and Congo. Mukau has yet to make a senior international for either team.
He is still eligible to declare for either senior team. Despite the fact that Mukau came through the youth academy system at Mechelen, there is a sense that the Belgian side will not be able to keep hold of the young midfielder for much longer.
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But he’s not the only talented youngster on the radar of the newly crowned Serie A champions. The Nerazzurri see the 19-year-old as a prospective option for the future alongside the like of George Ilenikhena and teenage Croatia and Osijek striker Anton Matkovic, who has earned comparisons to Mario Mandzukic.
According to Gazzetta, the 18-year-old Osijek striker is also a prospective target.Inter are keeping tabs on the teenage Croatian striker’s progress. He has scored two league goals for Osijek, and made appearances for Croatia at up to the Under-19 level.
The report notes that Matkovic has a similar profile to a famous former Croatian international – Mandzukic.Like the former Juventus and Bayern Munich striker, Matkovic is a very tall and physical player – standing 6’3″ – capable of holding the ball up and bringing teammates into play.
After several speculations on how they would fit into the team, it has now been revealed by the same Gazzetta that Inter has begun to work on an Under-23 team to compete in Serie C. The project is unlikely to start next season.
But the aim is to have the U23 team ready for the 2025-2026 season. Apart from the names mentioned, they can also look to the likes of Ebenezer Akinsanmiro, Issiaka Kamate, Aleksander Stankovic, Giacomo Stabile, Matteo Motta and the rest of the current u-19 squad to make up the nucleus of the team when it launches.
They will be following in the footsteps of fellow Serie A clubs, Juventus and AC Milan, with the Rossoneri set to debut their own team for the 2024-25 season while top European clubs like Chelsea and Manchester City also have similar system, albeit in a different form to help them nurture young talents.
Meanwhile…
Inter are considering a move for Udinese defender Jaka Bijol during the upcoming summer transfer window according to a report from Corriere dello Sport, to strengthen their defense for next season. The Nerazzurri will want greater depth in the back three.
And in particular, the priority will be to bring in a player with the physicality and man-marking ability to play in the centre of defense. At the moment, there are two main options in that position.Francesco Acerbi and Stefan de Vrij have both had very good seasons in defense.
Then, there are players with the versatility to back up Alessandro Bastoni and Benjamin Pavard in the wide defensive roles.Carlos Augusto and Matteo Darmian can both play at either wingback or in defense. Also, Yann Bisseck has proven a very able deputy to Pavard this season.
But in the centre of the defense, the problem is that both Acerbi and de Vrij are well into their thirties. For the future, the report is of the opinion that one possibility would be for Bastoni or Bisseck to play in the centre of the defense. Both would have the physicality for the role. But a summer signing is also a big possibility.
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Torino’s Alessandro Buongiorno is Inter’s top target for the central defensive role. But the 24-year-old Italian international would cost a very significant amount, and Napoli have already made an offer that seems close to the value placed on him by the Granata. Therefore, Inter are also looking at cheaper alternatives.Udinese defender Bijol is certainly a player who fits the Nerazzurri’s profiel.
The 25-year-old Slovenian international is a tall, strong defender. Moreover, he already has plenty of experience playing in the centre of a back three at Udinese.And Bijol would be considerably cheaper than Buongiorno. Particularly in the event that the Friulani were to be relegated to Serie B.
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