Inter Milan Pondering January Transfer Deal To Cover For Aging & Injury-Prone Italy Star | OneFootball

Inter Milan are considering signing a defender in January to cover for the aging and increasingly injury-prone Francesco Acerbi.

This according to today’s print edition of Turin-based newspaper Tuttosport, via FCInterNews. They report that Udinese’s Jaka Bijol would be the likeliest candidate to come in.

Inter defender Acerbi is currently grappling with a persistent thigh problem.

The 36-year-old is on the sidelines with a thigh strain. This is the second such injury he’s had in the last two months.

Acerbi has also had a relatively slow recovery process. Optimistic predictions that it would be a minor injury that he could return from quickly have hardly come to pass.

That has left Inter very reliant on Stefan de Vrij.

Particularly with Benjamin Pavard also out, the Nerazzurri’s defensive depth has come under the microscope.

Inter Could Make January Move To Cover For Francesco Acerbi

Inter’s defensive depth has just about held out. A string of solid performances from de Vrij at the heart of the back three have been crucial in Acerbi’s absence.

But the question for Inter is how much longer that is feasible.

Particularly if de Vrij also picks up an injury, then the Nerazzurri would have a full-blown emergency in defense.

The issue is that Acerbi, who turns 37 at the end of this season, is taking longer than ever to recover from muscle problems.

Therefore, it is becoming hard for Inter to consider the veteran Italian international reliable.

As such, Inter could make a move next month. They are seriously considering bringing in a suitable player to add another option in the centre of defense.

Racing Club defender Marco Di Cesare is a player on Inter’s radar. But according to Tuttosport, there would be little chance of a January switch – the Argentine is a longer-term target.

However, Udinese’s Jaka Bijol could prove to be the perfect candidate.

The Slovenian international has proven himself in Serie A. He has a similar style of play to Acerbi, playing in the centre of a back three.

And Udinese would likely prove willing to negotiate for Bijol as early as January.

The Friulani will be signing Oumar Solet next month. Therefore, it would not be an inopportune time for them to cash in on Bijol.