Inter Milan Ready to Launch Bid for Ederson as Calhanoglu Nears Exit

Calhanoglu Exit to Fund Midfield Overhaul

Despite years of financial caution, Inter have entered a more expansive era under the leadership of President Beppe Marotta and coach Cristian Chivu. The club plans to invest aggressively, targeting a negative transfer balance of around €100 million to reshape the squad ahead of the 2025–26 season. This strategy is a departure from past campaigns, where balancing the books was the primary concern.

Calhanoglu, currently enjoying his holidays, has not formally requested to leave. But sources indicate that the allure of returning to Istanbul and a starring role in Galatasaray’s midfield are proving hard to resist. Inter have set an asking price of €30 million for the 31-year-old, and negotiations are expected to accelerate soon.

Ederson Top of Chivu’s Wishlist

While the departure of Calhanoglu would be a significant loss, Inter are determined not to compromise their midfield’s quality. According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Ederson, who just turned 26, is the top priority for Chivu and the club’s management. The Brazilian has emerged as one of Serie A’s most reliable and dynamic midfielders, combining athleticism with technical ability. Last season, he was a key figure in Atalanta’s success, with 108 appearances in Serie A and a Bundesliga title with Bayer Leverkusen in his earlier career.

Atalanta are demanding €60 million for their versatile midfielder, and while this figure is steep, Inter believe the proceeds from planned sales, including Calhanoglu, Kristjan Asllani, Sebastiano Esposito, and Filip Stankovic, could cover a substantial portion of the fee. The club expects to collect at least €50 million from those exits alone.

Financial Windfall Fuels Confidence

The timing is ideal for a big investment. Inter’s run to the Champions League final and participation in the FIFA Club World Cup have generated record-breaking revenues. For the first time in years, the club is expected to post a net profit of €20–25 million, creating a unique window to reinvest boldly in the squad.

Unlike previous summers, when high-profile sales were necessary to balance the books, Inter can now afford to spend aggressively to strengthen Chivu’s project. Sources close to the club describe the strategy as a deliberate push to capitalize on global visibility, with new signings expected in midfield, defense, and attack.

Bergamo Resistance Expected

Despite Inter’s optimism, dealing with Atalanta will not be simple. The Bergamo club is known for driving a hard bargain, and the Ederson negotiations are likely to mirror the tense talks Juventus faced last year while pursuing Teun Koopmeiners. Inter, however, are prepared for a long negotiation and believe Ederson is worth the investment.

The Brazilian’s age profile also fits perfectly into the club’s plans: younger than Calhanoglu but experienced enough to slot in immediately alongside Nicolò Barella, Davide Frattesi, and Henrikh Mkhitaryan.

Extra Funds and Additional Sales

If necessary, Inter are open to selling Denzel Dumfries, who has a €25 million release clause. Bayern Munich and Manchester United are monitoring the situation and could trigger the clause before the deadline. That move, plus additional squad sales, could give Inter even more breathing room to bid for Ederson and potentially add another reinforcement in attack.

Chivu Endorses the Plan

Coach Cristian Chivu has already signed off on the move. Before departing for vacation, he spent nearly two hours at Inter’s headquarters discussing transfer priorities with Marotta, sporting director Piero Ausilio, and deputy Dario Baccin. Ederson was reportedly at the top of their agenda, viewed not as a luxury target but as an essential reinforcement.

After years of patchwork planning, Inter finally have the resources to chase their first-choice targets. If the dominoes fall as expected, with Calhanoglu heading to Galatasaray and Ederson arriving to replace him, the club could enter the new season with a midfield that remains one of Europe’s best.

Stay tuned as this story develops and Inter’s ambitious transfer plans continue to unfold.