In particular, after the elimination from the Champions League, an important reflection took place at Inter. The Nerazzurri management identified speed and dribbling as the missing characteristics in the current squad, elements that could make the difference in high-level European matches.
Already last summer, Chivu had considered the idea of adding a profile with these qualities, even imagining a possible 3-4-2-1 with a player of this type able to play behind the striker. The initial target was Ademola Lookman, but negotiations stalled against the wall put up by Atalanta. Then the performances of Esposito and Bonny during pre-season convinced the club to let it go.
In January, the topic became relevant again. Inter courted Moussa Diaby, who was ready to leave Al-Ittihad and Saudi Arabia to join the Nerazzurri project. However, the Saudi club did not give the green light and once again the plans were shelved. According to Corriere dello Sport, however, the analyses carried out in Viale della Liberazione led to a shared conclusion: it is necessary to add at least one fast forward with one-on-one skills.
An addition of this type would bring a different way of attacking, would accentuate the verticality desired by Chivu, and would allow for better use of the counterattack. The possible arrival of a player with these characteristics, writes the newspaper, would not necessarily require the departure of Thuram. For the summer, the name of Diaby will therefore come back strongly into the spotlight: the Frenchman has not abandoned his desire to return to Europe. The sticking point remains convincing Al-Ittihad, but with more time available compared to January, the margins could widen.
