Palmeri on Oaktree and Inter: market and management strategy

Tancredi Palmeri, journalist for Sportitalia, analyzed the Inter transfer market and the strategy of the Oaktree fund. According to Palmeri, the Nerazzurri management deserves recognition for the ability shown last season.

This time last year, Marotta and Ausilio were at the center of criticism for their inactivity in the transfer market. First Lookman and then Manu Koné slipped away, after Bonny and Sucic had already been missed. The situation did not particularly improve until the end of the window, except for the deal that brought Akanji in to replace Pavard. In January, the market remained essentially at a standstill.

Despite the difficulties, the management duo managed to build a squad capable of winning the league and a double, supporting Chivu and protecting investments and assets. It is hard to ask for more, considering that the arrivals of Lookman or Koné would not have changed the outcome of the bizarre Round of 16 against Bodo.

However, Palmeri points out that the average age of the squad remains high, the highest in the league. Even with the gradual inclusion of young players like Pio Esposito, Bonny, Diouf, Sucic, and Sasha Stankovic, it is necessary to provide quality replacements for the historic core of the team. Last year, the long absences due to performance or injuries of Barella, Calhanoglu, and Bastoni were significant.

The departure of Dumfries represents a significant loss. Finding a suitable replacement is complicated; otherwise, alternative solutions are needed. Not to mention the need for another defender after the exit of three players on free transfers.