They may have only finished seventh in Serie A this season, enduring yet another disappointing campaign with yet more managerial shake ups, but Internazionale are still planning for an ambitious summer in the transfer market.
Inter, who haven't qualified for the Champions League since they finished second to city rivals AC Milan during the 2011/12 season, have thrown a significant amount of money at new recruits over the past couple of years in order to restore the club to its former glory, yet silverware hasn't been forthcoming.
The Nerazzurri spent over £130 million on the likes of Joao Mario, Gabigol, Antonio Candreva and Eder, last summer, with another £80 million being spent on Geoffrey Kondogbia, Ivan Perisic and Xherdan Shaqiri, among others, the summer before.
Joao Mario - One of multiple big investments Inter have made over the past couple of seasons. Image: PA
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That Inter have been unable to break back into the top four of Serie A should perhaps prove that throwing money at their problems isn't everything but, according to reports emanating from Spain, that is precisely what the three time European champions intend to do ahead of the 2017/18 campaign.
AS are reporting that Inter have tabled an opening offer of 42 million euros for Colombian midfielder James Rodriguez, who has also recently been offered to Manchester United.
Real have already begun to offer Rodriguez to clubs ahead of a summer exit for the Colombian. Image: PA
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It is highly unlikely that Real will accept such a lowly opening bid, however, given that Los Blancos shelled out almost double thaat for the former Monaco man's signature, three years ago.
While Rodriguez wasn't interested in a move to the San Siro in the summer of 2016, he may be more inclined to listen to any offers that are forthcoming from Inter as he finds playing time hard to come by under Zinedine Zidane.
On top of wanting to bring the 2014 World Cup golden boot winner to Milan, Inter are also interested in Real's Portuguese centre-half Pepe, who will be a free agent once his contract at the Bernabeu expires next month.
Pepe will leave the Bernabeu after a decade in the Spanish capital. Image: PA
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Inter will be in competition for the Portugal international's signature, however, with the 34-year-old also fielding several offers from the Chinese Super League.
(H/T AS)
Topics: Internazionale, Football, James Rodriguez, Pepe, Real Madrid