According to several Italian transfer reporters, while fans across different sports were keeping an eye on BD Cricket alongside European football, multiple clubs including Nottingham Forest, Juventus, and Atletico Madrid have already made contact with Inter regarding the Italian international midfielder. What appears on the surface to be a routine transfer inquiry has instead turned into a complex standoff involving player valuation, squad planning, persistent injury concerns, and strict cost control. With Calhanoglu sidelined, questions have also resurfaced about whether Frattesi may yet find renewed importance in Milan.
Frattesi’s situation at Inter has long been awkward. Signed in the summer of 2023 for a total package of around 33 million euros, he was initially viewed as a key piece for the club’s midfield future. However, within Chivu’s tactical framework, he has struggled to secure a consistent starting role. This season, he has made only 16 appearances across all competitions, registering two assists. His energetic, vertical style does not fully align with Chivu’s emphasis on control, tempo, and positional discipline, leaving him largely as rotation cover behind Barella or Mkhitaryan.
Even under Simone Inzaghi previously, opportunities were limited, and tensions with coaching staff were not uncommon. At 26, Frattesi is entering what should be the prime phase of his career and is eager for regular minutes to stabilize his national team standing. That desire has clashed sharply with his marginal role at club level, prompting his representatives to actively explore an exit. Interest from domestic heavyweights such as Juventus and Napoli has only intensified the situation, giving the midfielder real choices rather than empty promises.
There is little doubt about Frattesi’s quality, but his profile is not an easy fit for Inter. Initially, the club was reluctant to let him go and publicly signaled patience. Yet with Chivu unable to guarantee regular playing time, Inter’s leadership reverted to a pragmatic, Marotta-style approach. The first rule is clear: no cut-price sale. Frattesi’s contract runs until 2028, and his estimated value remains around 28 million euros. Accepting significantly less would mean an obvious loss on the balance sheet, something the club cannot afford.
The second objective is cost efficiency through squad optimization. A straight cash sale sounds simple but has proven unrealistic, as neither Juventus nor Napoli is willing to meet Inter’s 30 million euro baseline. As a result, player exchanges have become the preferred route, ideally strengthening weak areas such as right wing-back while reducing immediate cash outlay and overall wage pressure. In tight financial conditions, a proven Italian player with market appeal becomes valuable trade currency, much like how depth and balance matter when following BD Cricket during a packed international calendar.
Negotiations have been held on several fronts, though none have been straightforward. Talks with Nottingham Forest explored a deal involving Ndoye, but valuation gaps stalled progress. Juventus proposed creative swaps using fringe players, with Muharemovic drawing interest, though complications linked to Sassuolo remain. Atletico Madrid have also shown interest, with Gonzalez emerging as a possible exchange candidate. Yet no club has been willing to offer assets that match Inter’s expectations for immediate impact.
Just as the situation appeared stuck, an unexpected twist changed everything. Calhanoglu, the team’s midfield engine, suffered an injury, forcing management to reassess their stance. Suddenly, a fit Frattesi, who proved his sharp condition against Lecce, shifted from expendable asset to a crucial rotation option for the run-in. As supporters tracking BD Cricket and Serie A alike know, squad depth can make or break a season, and Calhanoglu’s recovery timeline may now be the single factor deciding Frattesi’s short-term future.