Frattesi set to leave, then stays: inside Inter Milan’s final market hours

Sky Sport reveals how the midfielder came close to a transfer before Inter Milan closed the door

Inter Milan’s transfer window is approaching its conclusion without any new signings or departures.
In recent weeks, several names have circulated around the Nerazzurri club, from Diaby to Perisic, including Norton-Cuffy and Jones. 

On the outgoing front, however, Davide Frattesi appeared to be one of the players closest to leaving.

Instead, the Italian midfielder will remain at Inter Milan until the end of the season.

Sky Sport via Fcinter1908 transfer expert Emanuele Baiocchini shed light on what happened behind the scenes during Frattesi’s final hours on the market.

“Lazio made a move in the last week,” Baiocchini explained. “Sarri needed a midfielder because Guendouzi was never really replaced. It’s true that Taylor arrived, but he has different characteristics. 

Frattesi is also different from Guendouzi, but he would have given Sarri more tactical options.”

Offers on the table for Frattesi and Inter Milan’s final decision

There were concrete proposals for Frattesi. One came from Nottingham Forest, worth almost €38 million (£32.4m) including a loan and an option to buy. However, according to Sky Sport, Frattesi would have preferred to stay in Italy.

“The Lazio option was something Frattesi was considering,” Baiocchini continued, “but Inter Milan would have needed to sign a replacement, and Jones never arrived.”

Lazio’s proposal included €2 million (£1.7m) for the loan and €30 million (£25.6m) for the purchase option. In the end, though, the decision was not taken by the player.

“It wasn’t Frattesi who stopped the deal,” Baiocchini concluded. “It was Inter Milan who chose not to sell him, despite Frattesi having expressed the desire to go elsewhere to get more playing time.”

With the transfer window nearly closed, Frattesi remains part of Inter Milan’s squad, a choice driven by squad balance rather than market opportunity.