Chelsea's Egyptian winger Mohamed Salah (Photo: Reuters)
Inter Milan coach Roberto Mancini has denied contacting Chelsea winger Mohamed Salah, but left the door open for signing the Egyptian international this summer.
Inter Milan management is eyeing Wolfsburg's Ivan Perisic, Manchester City’s Stevan Jovetic, and is reportedly the cause of Salah's decision to part ways with Fiorentina.
“Jovetic is a City player, Perisic is with Wolfsburg and Salah … nobody knows who he’s with! We’ve never spoken to Salah, but there is contact with Wolfsburg for Perisic. We’re talking about important players," Mancini said in his first press conference of the season Friday.
“Did I call Salah? My phone ran out of credit … Joking aside, I make many calls because it’s only right that a player should speak to his future coach to understand where and how he’s going to play."
Salah, reportedly targeted by several Italian clubs, has decided not to stay at Fiorentina where he enjoyed a fruitful six-month loan spell, his solicitor said Friday.
AC Milan, rivals Inter and AS Roma are leading the race to sign the 23-year-old winger, according to widespread reports, after he made an impressive impact in Florence, scoring nine goals in 26 appearances as Fiorentina finished fourth in the Serie A and reached the Europa League semi-finals.
Fiorentina had an option to extend the loan of Salah, who joined from English Premier League side Chelsea last January, for another year but it seems that he rejected their offer, which was described by a club official as "insane."
“Am I satisfied with the transfer market so far? Yes, I’m happy, but there are another two months to go and we could sign more. President Thohir made a big effort and will make more, which means he cares a great deal," concluded Mancini, leaving the door open for new signings for the Nerazzurri.
Inter ended the Seria A this season in the eighth place with 55 points, 32 behind leaders Juventus and nine after fourth-placed Fiorentina.
(For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.)
Short link: