Defending Serie A champions Inter Milan are planning to revamp their defensive lineup at the conclusion of the 2024/25 season.
As reported by Calciomercato via FCInter1908, it’s anticipated that either Stefan de Vrij or Francesco Acerbi will depart from Giuseppe Meazza next summer.
Inter’s head coach, Simone Inzaghi, is well-known for employing a 3-5-2 formation, which has led to a squad boasting six center-backs.
Alongside Acerbi and De Vrij, the team includes Benjamin Pavard, Alessandro Bastoni, Yann Bisseck, and Tomas Palacios, the latter of whom joined from Argentina during the summer but has yet to make his competitive debut for the Nerazzurri.
Meanwhile, Bisseck appears poised to elevate his career and take on a more significant role in Inzaghi’s tactical setup.
With Acerbi approaching his 37th birthday in February, he is the most likely candidate to exit Inter. However, De Vrij’s contract also expires in June 2025, and he has not yet begun discussions for an extension. While one of the two defenders is expected to remain, Inzaghi aims to preserve continuity within the squad.
At 32, De Vrij stands a better chance of securing a new contract compared to Acerbi. Both players have been instrumental for Inter in recent years, but the 20-time Italian champions are recognizing the need to inject new talent into their aging roster.
Consequently, Inter is likely to return to the transfer market in search of younger prospects to revitalize their team, understanding that relying on veteran players may impede long-term success. In the meantime, they are nearing an agreement to extend Denzel Dumfries’s contract.