Inter Milan are reportedly contemplating a late transfer deadline bid for Arsenal talisman Cesc Fabregas. Italian dailies have claimed that Inter boss Rafael Benitez is lining up a £32.5 million offer for the Spanish international even though the Gunners playmaker has made it clear he intends to stay with his club for at least another season while Barcelona remain the only other club he would consider playing for.
But that proclamation will not stop the notoriously stubborn Benitez from attempting to prise the midfielder away from the Emirates and Inter are running the rule over a possible last minute sale of Brazilian defender Maicon to Real Madrid which could free up even more funds for the audacious move for the Gunners skipper.
Real are reportedly trying to revive their interest in Maicon who has been keen to reunite with Jose Mourinho at the Bernabeu. The Brazilian international could be available for £25 million but it remains to be seen if the La Liga giants would eventually be willing to cough up such an amount.
Inter are apparently hoping to tempt the Gunners with £28.5 million in cash including midfielder Sulley Muntari – who is also wanted by Tottenham Hotspur – for Fabregas but Wenger is highly unlikely to budge after spending the whole summer resisting Barcelona’s overtures and repeatedly insisting his star will not be for sale at any price.
If Inter fail in their bid for the World Cup winning midfielder, Benitez will try to rush an offer for Atletico Madrid’s Diego Forlan, who was voted the best player during the World Cup finals.
Meanwhile, Inter are also lining up a possible swoop for Spurs wing back Gareth Bale should Maicon leave for Real this summer. Inter president Massimo Moratti is an admirer of the player and although Benitez has a replacement in Davide Santon, both men will still consider Bale to be a quality addition to the squad.
Tags: Arsenal, Cesc Fabregas, English Premier League, Gareth Bale, Inter Milan, La Liga, Maicon, Real Madrid, Serie A, Tottenham Hotspur, transfer news
