Diaby re-emerges for Inter as Chivu searches for a Dumfries replacement | OneFootball

Moussa Diaby’s name is appearing in Inter circles again as Cristian Chivu and his team seek a replacement for Denzel Dumfries, who left the Nerazzurri to join Real Madrid earlier this summer.

Diaby back in fashion for Inter but salary is an issue

Inter have brought in John Stones, Ivan Provedel and Aleksandar Stankovic so far this summer but are still reportedly targeting the signing of Tottenham’s Cristian Romero and a new wing-back to replace Dumfries.

Chivu spoke recently about Inter’s need to add at least one more player out wide: “It depends on how you look at it. Maybe we’re missing one on the left. We have three wingers at the moment, or rather three and a half because Carlos (Augusto) can play there as well. And depending on how we look at Luis Henrique, who can play on the right or left, we’re still missing one,” the coach said after a pre-season friendly against Manchester City.

“There’s still a long way to go in the window, we need to be patient and choose well.”

Inter had explored deals for Marco Palestra prior to his move to Chelsea and for Union Saint Gilloise’s Anan Khalaili, only for his transfer to collapse after a medical.

According to reports from Gianluca Di Marzio and Sky Sport Italia, Diaby has ‘come back into fashion’ in Nerazzurri circles.

JEDDAH, SAUDI ARABIA – SEPTEMBER 12: Moussa Diaby of Al Ittihad reacts during the Saudi Pro League match between Al Ittihad and Al-Fateh at Al Inmaa Stadium on September 12, 2025 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Images)

The former Aston Villa winger had also been linked with a move to San Siro during the January transfer, with reports that Inter were exploring a potential loan with an option or obligation to buy for a fee in the region of €35m.

The Diaby transfer fee is not the biggest concern for Inter, however. Convincing the player to take a significant cut on the monstrous salary that he earns with Al-Ittihad in the Saudi Pro League might be, though.

Diaby reportedly earns a net salary of €15m in Saudi Arabia, not including bonuses that take the player’s wages beyond the €20m mark.