The Serie A club have been in England looking to finalise a deal for the Manchester United captain, but have also made enquiries about the two France internationals
By Fabrizio Romano
Inter are preparing a summer raid on the Premier League and have earmarked Bacary Sagna and Patrice Evra as potential defensive targets.
The Nerazzurri are also confident of wrapping up a deal for Manchester United captain Nemanja Vidic, who will leave Old Trafford this summer when his contract expires, and have expressed an interest in Real Madrid striker Alvaro Morata.
Officials from the Serie A club have been in England finalising a deal for Vidic, but also took the opportunity to make enquiries regarding his United team-mate Evra and Arsenal right-back Sagna.
Both players’ current deals expire at the end of the season and Inter have been working hard to bring them to San Siro as new Inter president Erick Thohir looks to deliver on his promise to re-establish the 2010 Champions League winners as a genuine European force.
However, the Italians face competition from other interested clubs, while both United and Arsenal have offered their respective players extensions.
Inter believe they are more likely to land Sagna, 31, after being told that the France international, who Goal understands has been offered a lucrative deal from Liverpool, is considering a change of scenery following seven years in north London.
The Gunners re-opened talks with Sagna in January but have so far been unable to persuade the former Auxerre man to extend his stay at the Emirates Stadium.
David Moyes, meanwhile, has spoken highly of the long-serving Evra in recent weeks, despite the club’s pursuit of Everton left-back Leighton Baines and a failed attempt to bring in Fabio Coentrao from Real Madrid in the summer.
The Premier League champions also hold a long-standing interest in Southampton’s £20 million rated left-back Luke Shaw.
Despite Inter’s interest and less than five months remaining on his current deal, Evra insists he remains committed to the Old Trafford club.
“My love will not change for the club,” he said after United crashed to a 2-0 defeat against Olympiakos in the Champions League on Tuesday. “I love Manchester. When my love will be broken with Manchester, I will study the possibilities.”
Inter are also interested in Madrid youngster Morata, whose contract expires at the end of next season.
Arsenal, Juventus and Monaco are among several other clubs interested in the European Under-21 Championship winner, who could be available at a bargain price given his contract circumstances.