Inter face defensive rebuild

Serie A's Inter Milan are preparing for a generational overhaul in the new season ​after announcing the departures of Stefan ‌de Vrij, Matteo Darmian, Francesco Acerbi and Yann Sommer when their contracts expired on Tuesday.

Replacing the 37-year-old goalkeeper ​Sommer might be the most pressing priority ​for the current Serie A and Coppa ⁠Italia champions. The Switzerland international, who arrived ​from Bayern Munich in August 2023 to replace ​Andre Onana, made 139 appearances for Inter and kept 66 clean sheets across his three seasons in Milan.

He ​quickly established himself as a key playmaker ​from the back, adapting seamlessly to the build-ups from deep ‌favoured ⁠by managers Simone Inzaghi and Cristian Chivu. Inter are said to be looking to recruit Lazio goalkeeper Ivan Provedel, or hand the long-term ​role to ​current understudy ⁠Josep Martínez.

The exits of Acerbi, 38, and de Vrij, 34, leave ​the central defensive unit requiring a ​complete ⁠overhaul. The veteran pair were part of a three-man rotating backline that was a vital part ⁠of ​last season's success.

Darmian, 36, struggled ​last season with injuries and had little playing time.