World Cup 2026 Push Could Force Three Inter Stars Toward Exit | OneFootball

Inter outcast Davide Frattesi could reportedly be on his way out of the club when the transfer window reopens for business in January. Despite pledging his future to San Siro until 2028, the Italian midfielder appears to be on the verge of cutting ties with the Nerazzurri.

Frattesi’s future at Giuseppe Meazza is once again hanging by a thread. Indeed, the 26-year-old came close to exiting the club last winter, only for former boss Simone Inzaghi to stop him from returning to his boyhood club, Roma.

However, Frattesi remained on the fringes of Inzaghi’s setup for the rest of the season. With that in mind, many had expected the former Sassuolo star to find a new team in the summer. Yet, new manager Cristian Chivu vowed to reignite his career in Lombardy.

Convinced by Chivu, Inter fended off several clubs who tried to lure Frattesi away from Milan. Atletico Madrid and Napoli were eager to offer the versatile midfielder an escape route from Meazza, yet Inter’s substantial €45 million asking price scared them away.

Despite keeping Frattesi on board, Chivu failed to live up to his pre-season promise, sidelining the Rome-born ace from his project. For context, Frattesi has accumulated just 198 minutes in Serie A this season, making only one league start. As a result, he could file a transfer request next month.

Though Italy’s appearance at next summer’s FIFA World Cup isn’t a foregone conclusion, Gennaro Gattuso’s men are widely expected to return to the most prestigious international tournament for the first time since 2014. Meanwhile, Frattesi is desperate to make the squad.

Securing World Cup 2026 tickets remains a top priority for other out-of-favor Inter stars, such as Stefan de Vrij and Andy Diouf. While Frattesi has drawn Juventus’ interest, the Dutch veteran could soon cut short his long-term experience in Serie A.

La Liga pacesetters Barcelona have reportedly earmarked De Vrij as a potential low-cost addition. Eager to address their defensive woes, Los Blaugranas are in the market for defensive reinforcements, with the 33-year-old emerging as an option.

De Vrij’s contract at Meazza runs out at the end of the season. However, after being told to secure regular first-team football by Ronald Koeman, the ex-Lazio center-half is ready to halt his seven-year stint at Inter already this winter.

Like Frattesi, De Vrij has been reduced to a bit-part role this term, registering just two Serie A starts. Therefore, the Dutchman will probably entertain offers next month, with Barcelona willing to give him the benefit of the doubt despite his age.

As for Diouf, he joined Inter from Lens in August after the Nerazzurri failed to sign Manu Kone. However, the Frenchman’s career in Serie A has started with a whimper rather than a bang. Low in the pecking order, Diouf could consider an early exit.

Whether Inter would be open to sanctioning a loan deal remains uncertain, especially considering they paid Lens €25 million to capture his signature in the summer. If allowed to leave, Diouf might return to Ligue 1, where Marseille and Monaco would be ready to offer him a chance to relaunch his career.