Jay-Z’s agency could be the key for the Englishman. The Algerian and Croatian Valincic are liked, but the forbidden dream remains Palestra…

For five games, the Nerazzurri’s right wing has been the territory of Luis Henrique, known as “Gigi” for its Italian assonance, a strange model of a shy Brazilian, bought for €25 million precisely to give oxygen to the totem Dumfries. Now that the Dutchman is out of action and will be cheering from the sidelines for who knows how long, the former Marseille player is rising even further up the ranks, but he is still being asked to dribble and show more initiative. As it stands, Gigi is certainly not enough. For this reason, the Nerazzurri management has no choice but to return to exploring the market: the role is decisive, and intervening in January reduces the risk of regret later on. A final decision has not yet been made, but opportunities and suitable profiles are being scrutinized, both in Italy and abroad: whether it will be a temporary loan or a permanent signing in that position will depend on the possibilities on the table (and on how much faith there is in Dumfries staying in the summer). Meanwhile, reflections are deepening and the appreciation for the Englishman who played last Sunday at Marassi is growing visibly: Brooke Norton-Cuffy, 21, is like the protagonist of Paolo Conte’s “Genova per noi” (Genoa for us), having found a home and a sense of wonder under the Lanterna.

The Nerazzurri had put him on their list for next summer, along with Marco Palestra, Atalanta’s fastest player in the West. The Lookman deal showed how difficult it is to prise a player away from Atalanta, which is why Inter also looked at Genoa’s speedster at the same time. Dumfries’ troubles only brought the dossier forward, although in a hypothetical negotiation, his long-standing friendship with the American agency that represents him would play a big part. It’s good music coming from the ghetto and it sounds very familiar to the Nerazzurri: Jay-Z’s Roc Nation, the rap giant, the same company that managed Lukaku at Inter and was instrumental in bringing him back to Milan. In fact, Roc Nation broke with the Belgian over the controversial issue of his stay in the summer of 2023 and, among other things, now also manages Dimarco. The channels are open and facilitate dialogue, even if $20 million in January is a hefty sum.

Other avenues—  At the same time, president Beppe Marotta and sporting director Piero Ausilio are broadening their search and have appreciated the impact of Rafik Belghali on the Italian league: the 23-year-old Algerian full-back had already been reported before going to Verona, but the fact that he has to leave for the Africa Cup of Nations at the very moment when he would be useful cannot be underestimated. Not ideal, in short. In terms of scouting, which is dear to Oaktree, young players to be snapped up before their value skyrockets, Inter could also look to Croatia, a land of talent dear to the Nerazzurri. Moris Valincic is a 23-year-old right winger from Dinamo Zagreb valued at €18 million and a fan of Eros Ramazzotti: he is particularly liked and would have what it takes to follow in Dumfries’ footsteps. A Sucic-style deal is conceivable if other options on the right wing prove unfeasible.