Inter’s pursuit of Josep Martinez is nearing its conclusion, with Genoa expected to approve the deal tomorrow. Inter player Martin Satriano has emerged as the preferred makeweight in the negotiations between the two clubs
La Gazzetta dello Sport report that ‘phones have been ringing hot between Genoa and Inter’ ahead of the decisive meeting scheduled for tomorrow. Amid rumors of interest from Premier League giants, which are mere speculation, both clubs are increasingly confident about the successful outcome of the operation. Above all, the goalkeeper‘s burning desire to don the Nerazzurri gloves as soon as possible is evident.
The path to Milan should be cleared this week, with Inter aiming to finalize the deal as early as tomorrow, tying up the remaining loose ends. Specifically, the overall price of the operation needs to be agreed upon, ranging between €15 and €18 million. This figure also depends on Genoa’s choice of an adequate counterpart from Inter’s wide range of options.
Tuesday’s transfer activities continued with phone calls and no new face-to-face meetings, which is normal as the groundwork was laid last week. Sporting director Piero Ausilio secured an agreement with Martinez based on a five-year contract with an increasing salary, starting at €1.5 million for the first season.
While Genoa initially demanded €18 million, they have simultaneously negotiated an alternative solution with Inter: the addition of one of Inter’s promising youngsters would allow for a lower upfront cash payment.
Among the potential makeweights – Satriano, Oristanio, Zanotti, and Pio Esposito (for whom Inter exercised the buy-back clause from Spezia) – the first two are Gilardino’s preferred choices. However, the Uruguayan striker remains the firm favorite, having made the necessary career leap last season with Brest in France.
Satriano’s Champions League qualification with the small French club, achieved as a starter, is a testament to his high quality. While many clubs, from Stuttgart to Valencia, have shown interest, he could be sacrificed for Inter’s goalkeeper of the future.Genoa covets Satriano, especially if they were to part ways with Ekuban, and they are also keeping a keen eye on Oristanio’s situation. Despite failing to exercise the €4 million buy-out clause within the stipulated time, Cagliari is unwilling to relinquish the attacking midfielder and wants to reopen talks with Inter on the same matter.Then there‘s Venezia, where the path intersects with another deal Inter is working on: the Venetian club continues its efforts to secure Tanner Tessmann, a versatile American midfielder from Alabama, to be included in future operations.
Initially, Inter had their sights and ears (almost) solely set on Bento, the Portuguese national team goalkeeper and their preferred choice. However, the real competition from English clubs and the escalating demands from Athletico Paranaense cooled their passion, leading to this decisive shift in focus towards Martinez by the Nerazzurri management.The 26-year-old Spaniard had been closely monitored throughout the season at Genoa, where his growth was as consistent as it was discreet. Inter saw in him the primary evolutionary characteristics required of a modern goalkeeper: strength between the posts, courage in coming off his line, and adeptness with his feet. Crucially, he also demonstrated a willingness to share the role with Yann Sommer, the guardian during Inter’s Scudetto-winning campaign.For one year, Martinez will settle alongside the Swiss keeper, not behind him, making the term “second goalkeeper” reductive.
