Inter are weighing up a January move for Aston Villa shotstopper Emiliano Martinez as a replacement for Yann Sommer, reports Football Insider.
Martinez was heavily linked with a move away from Villa Park over the summer, with a switch to Manchester United at one point on the cards.
However, United instead firmed up their interest in Belgian youngster Senne Lammens, which saw the Argentine return to Villa Park with his tail between his legs.
Marco Bizot started two of Villa’s opening three league games of the season but Martinez has since re-established himself as first choice for the Villans.
Even so, a January exit has been mooted, with Inter emerging as a potential destination for the 33-year-old.
Inter identifying Sommer replacements
Inter have made an impressive start to the season and sit top of Serie A following the opening 11 matches of the campaign ahead of Sunday's Milan Derby.
Christian Chivu, who replaced Simone Inzaghi at the San Siro helm over the summer, is looking to guide the Nerazzurri to the Scudetto having finished second to Napoli last season.
There are, though, ongoing concerns over the future of number one Sommer, who is out of contract the end of the season.
The Switzerland international has been proven an excellent signing since he joined from Gladbach to replace Andre Onana in 2023.
Indeed, the Swiss star was instrumental as Inter made the Champions League final last season, only to lose 5-0 to PSG in Munich in May.
There have been no talks between Inter and Sommer about extending the goalkeeper’s stay in Italy, meaning the Serie A giants are eyeing up potential replacements for the 36-year-old.
Villa want Martinez replacement before sanctioning sale
Inter boss Chivu views Martinez as the ideal successor for Sommer, but Villa are wary about allowing the 2022 World Cup winner to leave before a replacement is brought in.
Manchester City’s James Trafford is among those linked with a switch to the Midlands side having lost his place in the Cityzens’ starting XI.
Trafford returned to Manchester over the summer and started their first three league games of the season against Wolves, Tottenham and Brighton.
City, though, brought in Gianluigi Donnarumma from PSG on deadline day, and the towering Italy number one has since leapt ahead of Trafford in the pecking order.
As such, the 23-year-old has been restricted to EFL Cup appearances, starting wins over Huddersfield in September and Swansea last month.
And with a World Cup spot up for grabs, Trafford is keen on game time at the risk of missing out on a spot in the England squad in North America next summer.
