Inter Milan ‘paying attention’ to Barcelona’s Gerard Deulofeu following Coutinho arrvial - 7M sport

Inter Milan ‘paying attention’ to Barcelona’s Gerard Deulofeu following Coutinho arrvial



Posted Monday, January 08, 2018 by squawka.com

Inter Milan ‘paying attention’ to Barcelona’s Gerard Deulofeu following Coutinho arrvial

Inter Milan director Piero Ausilio has revealed that the club are "paying attention" to the situation of Barcelona winger Gerard Deulofeu.

The Catalan club are ready to release Deulofeu as they prepare for the arrival of midfielder Philippe Coutinho from Liverpool, who signed for a blockbuster £142m fee on Saturday.

The 23-year-old has only made nine La Liga appearances this season, scoring one goal, and will find it hard to seek further first-team opportunities once the Brazilian settles himself into the side. Deulofeu has not featured for Ernesto Valverde's side since late November.

"There have been no formal offers for Deulofeu, but we are paying attention to the situation," Ausilio told Mediaset Premium via Football Italia.

"If there are the conditions to try something, we know the characteristics we are looking for. Deulofeu could be the right profile, but he isn't the only one."

Though Ausilio has admitted to be monitoring the situation of the Spanish forward, he dismissed the notion that they would sell the likes of Joao Mario or Mauro Icardi.

"We have no intention of selling anyone this month. Our squad is correct, some players were injured and there is the possibility of adding something, but overall the squad is fine," Ausilio continued.

"We are only in one competition, Serie A, and we know the transfer formulas at our disposal. If there's the opportunity to add something, we'll be ready.

"The coach has the right to make his choices and that includes Joao Mario. He plays wide for Portugal, so he is starting today as a technical decision."

The return of Ousmane Dembele's to match-fitness coinciding with Coutinho's arrival at the Camp Nou will further push Deulofeu to seek regular playing time elsewhere.

Deulofeu, who previously had a stint in Italy with AC Milan last season, could present a more affordable option for Inter who are not prepared to break the bank during the mid-season window.

Coutinho was finally able to realise his dream move to Barcelona on Saturday after submitting a transfer request in the summer.

Though Jurgen Klopp had tried to convince the Brazilian playmaker to see out his time at Liverpool until the end of the season, the 25-year-old insisted that a move be immediate and viewed the home game against Leicester on December 30, 2017, as the last time he pulled on the red shirt.



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