Inter's Premier League Pounce: Vicario and Santos Top Ausilio's Wishlist Amid Midfield Mayhem

Picture this: Inter Milan's sporting director Piero Ausilio rubbing his hands together, eyes locked on the Premier League like it's a buffet. Just a year after nabbing Manuel Akanji from Manchester City – a deal that'll cost them €15 million to make permanent – he's back for more. Top of the menu? Guglielmo Vicario, the Italian keeper who's been pulling off saves at Tottenham since his €18.5 million switch from Empoli last summer.

Ausilio nearly lured Vicario home before that Spurs deal, and now he's circling again. The Nerazzurri need a stopper who knows Serie A inside out, and who better than a bloke born in '96 who's been bossing it in north London? But hold your horses – he's not the only Englishman on the radar.

Double Trouble: Enter Andrey Santos

As SportItalia spills the beans, Inter are sniffing around Chelsea's Andrey Santos, the zippy Brazilian midfielder born in 2004. Chelsea splashed €12.5 million to grab him from Vasco da Gama last year, tying him down till 2030. After loans at Nottingham Forest and Strasbourg, he's back in London with 40 appearances, a goal, five assists, and eight bookings under his belt.

Inter chatted with his agent Giuliano Bertolucci last year, but timing was off. Now? They're testing the waters again. Santos could be the fresh legs they crave, especially with his versatility – he slots in as an inside mid in a trio or anchors a double pivot, just like he did alongside Moises Caicedo at Chelsea or Bruno Guimaraes for Brazil under Carlo Ancelotti.

It's no secret Inter love a Premier League raid. Reliable reports from AFP via Goal.com highlight Vicario as priority one, but Santos adds that midfield spice.

Chivu's Tactical Overhaul: Ditching the Treble for a Double Pivot

Here's the juicy bit: new gaffer Cristian Chivu (or is it the brains trust?) wants a midfield revolution. Forget the trusty three-man engine room – next season it's a two-man central midfield. Problem is, none of their current septet screams 'perfect fit'. Nicolò Barella, Hakan Çalhanoğlu, Piotr Zieliński, Davide Frattesi, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Luka Sucic, and Elyaz Diouf? Solid, but not quite the double pivot dynamos needed.

Zieliński might be the only nailed-on stayer in Milan. The rest? Auction time. Santos fits like a glove, but Inter aren't putting all eggs in one basket. They're eyeing Manu Koné from Roma, Leon Goretzka (whose Bayern deal expires in June), and even their own buy-back option: Aleksandar Stanković from Bruges for €23 million.

It's a right old midfield merry-go-round. Chivu's vision demands box-to-box beasts who can shield the back four and launch attacks. Santos, with his Prem nous and international caps, looks tailor-made. Imagine him bossing the middle with Barella – Chelsea fans would weep, but Inter supporters would be pint-raising.

Why Now? Inter's Transfer Tango

Ausilio's not mucking about. With Akanji's buyout looming and midfield misfits potentially shipping out, this is squad surgery on steroids. Vicario would solve the gloves crisis, Santos the engine room enigma. Throw in those other targets, and it's clear: Inter fancy a Premier League plundering to fuel another Scudetto charge.

Will Chelsea let Santos slip for a tidy fee? Spurs cling to Vicario? Stay tuned, lads – transfer window's heating up faster than a Milan derby. If Ausilio pulls this off, it'll be less 'Nerazzurri' and more 'Nerazzurri with English flair'. Cheers to that.