Inter Milan President Beppe Marotta confirms owners Oaktree Capital are “ready to invest big” this summer, and Cristian Chivu is “not a second choice.”
The Nerazzurri President addressed the summer transfer spending plans in the team’s preseason press conference, as reported by FCInterNews.
Inter Milan’s summer transfer window is now in full swing.
It has already been a busy summer for Inter. The month of June saw coach Simone Inzaghi leave as coach after four years, and Cristian Chivu arrive to replace him.
Meanwhile, Inter have completed three major signings already. Petar Sucic, Luis Henrique, and Ange-Yoan Bonny have all arrived. Meanwhile, Inter are reportedly pursuing Ademola Lookman now.
This has been a summer which has seen Inter look to lower the average age of the squad.
Reports that Oaktree Capital are ready to invest in signings provided the players are young, have room to grow and resale value, look to have been confirmed.
Marotta: “Oaktree Ready To Spend Big This Summer, Chivu Not A Second Choice”
PASADENA, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 17: Cristian Chivu, Head Coach of FC Internazionale Milano (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
Inter Milan President Beppe Marotta made clear that “the owners are very keen on the development and increasing the value of our club.”
“The new stadium is right at the heart of Inter and Oaktree,” he said.
“Back to sporting matters, we ended last season going right to the end in all competitions. We lost the Champions League final, and we came in second by a hair in the league.”
“Now we have to try and close that gap,” said the Inter President.
“But getting there is very difficult. We’ve reached great things, but today we’re starting again with the same ambitions.”
Marotta made clear that “inter have a history and a record to defend.”
“There’s no point hiding behind platitudes like ‘We have to finish in the top four.’ We want to win, that’s everyone’s goal.”
“Our new cycle begins with a new coach,” Marotta continued. “Cristian Chivu.”
“I’ve read that he was a backup solution, a second choice. Nothing could be further from the truth.”
The Nerazzurri President commented that “When Oaktree and I outlined the model for the team we were building, we tried to identify the right kind of coach.”
“The fact that we also approached someone else doesn’t diminish Chivu’s standing,” Marotta said, hinting at Inter’s efforts to appoint Cesc Fabregas.
“On the contrary. It helped us strengthen our idea regarding a young coach. Because he has one advantage above all: He knows the environment, he understands the values of the club.’
Meanwhile, Marotta acknowledged that “the model has changed” at Inter.
“Oaktree, with great foresight, have shown a willingness to make significant figures available to the directors,” he continued. “To invest in specific age profiles.”
“We’ve made a few signings already. And the transfer window is still open, there’s still a month left to go.”
“So we’ll keep going,” Marotta assured.