Is it getting tough for Koné? Inter are considering Djaoui Cissé. And a former Juventus player is poised for defense.

Yesterday, the Nerazzurri's senior staff met in Appiano for the restart, and they agreed on the number two: these are the signings planned for the new Inter by the end of the transfer window. The coach wants them, and the management agrees: they will be a "total" midfielder, with great pace, and a defender with a certain versatility. In the middle, Inter are in a whirlwind of ideas, given that they're having trouble with their phone calls and there's no communication with the capital: at the moment, in fact, there's no sign of Roma considering a Nerazzurri offer for Manu Koné. For this reason, among the various alternatives, a younger replacement is being considered: among the many, Djaoui Cissé, a 21-year-old prospect from Rennes, is the most intriguing.

Koné, Deschamps' centurion, remains the clear favorite for that position, so much so that Inter would put their entire old "Lookmaniac" budget on him: that would be a cool €45 million for the Giallorossi, forced to walk on eggshells under UEFA fair play. Precisely because of the delicate nature of the Giallorossi's finances, the possibility of an Inter Koné signing can't be completely ruled out yet. In the meantime, however, president Beppe Marotta and sporting director Piero Ausilio can only guard themselves by looking elsewhere. They continue to scout European midfields: they're hunting for a midfielder capable of turning the defense around, just like Manu could. They've set their sights on the silverware of several clubs; for example, in Antwerp, they've eyed Mahamadou Doumbia, a midfielder born in 2004, who has also attracted the attention of other big clubs. His approval ratings soared, however, when the Nerazzurri executives stopped by Rennes, a very expensive Ligue 1 club where Cissé, who is the same age as Doumbia, excelled. He's a sort of miniature Koné: while the Roma player is fighting for Deschamps, he's the cornerstone of the U21s in the Bleu jersey. After the European Championship, which he reached on the last bus and left with three goals and the status of a revelation, Cissé has attracted the attention of half of Europe. His story, from the suburbs to the professional ranks, is that of many of this generation, with a surge in performances this calendar year. Sensing his talent, his club has secured him until 2029, and this has an impact on the negotiations: the French club, in fact, are asking high prices, well over €30 million, still too high for what Inter would be willing to invest for a talent who hasn't fully emerged yet. Of course, the characteristics are those required: modernity, intelligent pressing, verticality, bursts, quips and jokes.

At the same time, work is underway to find a defender to rejuvenate the Acerbi and De Vrij teams. The latest developments include some difficulty in negotiations with Udinese for Oumar Solet, another Frenchman who is headed to Inter this summer. The Friulians are unwilling to sign him on loan, a precondition for the Nerazzurri, who are prepared to tie the signing only to the resolution of the 24-year-old's legal problems, which are pending a sexual assault charge. Should Pavard leave, a player eagerly sought by Saudi Arabia's Neom as well as several clubs in his homeland, the investment could be more substantial: be wary of those with only a passing knowledge of Serie A, such as former Juventus player Renato Veiga, born in 2003 and returning to Chelsea after a loan spell. He could now leave permanently, with more than 30 euros being needed here too.