With the Dutchman injured, a gap has opened up on the right. A signing will be made, and the idea of nurturing a talent such as Valincic from Dinamo Zagreb also remains on the table.

The squad is expanding. Not only in terms of the team, because Inter will make at least one signing in January, but also in terms of candidates to replace Denzel Dumfries. The Dutchman will only be back on the pitch in March, formally after an injury (and operation) to his ankle that will keep him out for between four and five months. So the Nerazzurri management has started its search, looking around and focusing on the most suitable candidate. Without the former PSV Eindhoven player, Inter have suffered four defeats in their last eight games. This further confirms Dumfries’ central role, because without him – and with Luis Henrique or Carlos Augusto adapted to a position they are not used to playing – the team loses a lot in terms of both attacking and defensive strength. That is why it has become necessary to bring in new blood on the right.

To date, Inter are monitoring a handful of names. Each one depends on different timings, because January is just around the corner and they could even wait until next summer, but the intention is to act immediately. In addition to Norton-Cuffy, Valincic, and Touré of Pisa (the latter further behind due to his age), a new name has been added in recent hours, which would lead to a return and… a connection with Palestra. This is Raoul Bellanova, currently with Atalanta but set to join Inter in the 2022-23 season. It was a successful year, apart from the Scudetto, ending with the Coppa Italia and Italian Super Cup victories and the disappointment mixed with satisfaction of the Champions League final lost in Istanbul against Manchester City.

Bellanova could gain ground in the coming weeks due to a number of factors. First: Atalanta has a wealth of options on the wings (Zappacosta, Zalewski, Bakker, Bernasconi, and even Musah if necessary). Second, and even more importantly, on July 1, Marco Palestra will return to Bergamo, where he will most likely become a starter. This would further congest the wings for Bellanova, who would never say no to a return to Inter. On the other hand, Norton-Cuffy is liked but not entirely convincing, primarily because of a few too many defensive limitations (see, for example, the red card he caused Leali to receive in last Sunday’s match against Dea), and secondly because of the English bidding war that could ensue, with many Premier League teams interested in the former Arsenal player. And in the background remains the “green” signing, Moris Valincic, who would need time to adapt to Serie A and, like Norton-Cuffy, recover from injury. In the meantime, however, Inter’s right-back market is taking shape.