From Italy: Inter Milan plan Ruben Dias raid as Manchester City revamp looms under Enzo Maresca | OneFootball

Inter Milan are plotting a summer move for Manchester City centre-back Ruben Dias, with the Portuguese defender no longer considered a safe stay at the Etihad Stadium ahead of Enzo Maresca’s arrival as manager, as per reports.

Dias has been one of the most important players in City’s squad since joining from Benfica for £65 million in 2020, winning four Premier League titles and the UEFA Champions League during his time in Manchester.

However, a hamstring injury sustained before the Carabao Cup final in March kept him sidelined for several months and his long-term future at the club has since become the subject of considerable speculation following Pep Guardiola‘s recent departure from the Etihad Stadium.

The 29-year-old’s situation has attracted previous reports of major transfer interest in the weeks since the season ended, with his agent understood to have received instructions to explore the market – and City’s position on his future now appearing considerably less clear than it was 12 months ago.

Report: Inter plotting move as City open to offers

According to Gazzetta dello Sport, as relayed by Sport Witness, Inter Milan are eyeing a summer move for Dias, with the Italian champions viewing the Portugal international as a target as they look to strengthen their defensive options ahead of the 2026-27 campaign.

Crucially, the report notes that Dias is no longer considered a certain stay at the Etihad Stadium: a significant shift from the picture painted earlier in the season – and that Manchester City are believed to be willing to listen to offers should a club meet their valuation this summer.

Incoming manager Maresca has yet to conduct a full assessment of the squad he has inherited from Guardiola, meaning the club’s definitive stance on Dias’ future may not crystallise until those internal conversations have taken place.

However, the suggestion that City would entertain bids represents a meaningful development in the centre-back’s situation, despite him being contracted at the Etihad Stadium till the summer of 2029.

What would Dias’ departure mean for City?

Dias’ exit would represent a significant loss for a defensive unit that has already lost John Stones this summer and faces uncertainty over Josko Gvardiol‘s contract situation, with Real Madrid‘s long-standing interest in the Croatian still to be fully resolved.

Director of football Hugo Viana would face the challenge of replacing not just Dias’ quality but his leadership – the Portuguese having served as one of City’s most influential voices in the dressing room across six seasons at the Etihad Stadium.

Marc Guehi and Abdukodir Khusanov have both shown considerable promise during the second half of last season but the prospect of entering a new managerial era without Dias would represent a considerable test of the squad’s defensive depth.

Inter’s interest underlines the level of demand that exists for a player of Dias’ calibre – and with three years remaining on his contract, City hold the leverage to demand a substantial fee should they ultimately decide to sell.