Inter Milan are hoping to steal the march on some of the top teams across Europe including Manchester United and Chelsea FC to secure the signature of Brazilian international defender Joao Miranda from Atletico Madrid.
Reports by Di Marzio suggest that Inter Milan are set to complete a deal for the Atletico Madrid defender who is available on a cut price deal with only a year left on his contract within the next few hours.
The Brazil international, 30, had an injury hit season, but, was a vital player in Atletico Madrid’s march to the La Liga title as well as the Champions League final in 2013-14.
Both, Chelsea FC and Manchester United have been on the look out for a central defender to compensate for either a faltering or an ageing backline and were locked in a battle for Miranda according to reports.
Real Madrida s Raphael Varane has long been Mourinhoa s top defensive target, but the arrival of Rafael Benitez at the Bernabeu could prevent a deal this summer.
Manchester United have also been pursuing a deal for Hummels and Otamendi with the former reluctant to leave Germany according to reports and the later having a price tag of 55 milion Euro slapped on him by the Valencia president prompting Manchester United to look for cheaper alternative with Miranda a good option.
Miranda could have been an interesting choice for the two English clubs. Certainly his price tag makes it very attractive which will be peanuts in comparison to some of their other targets.
While Miranda does not appear to have had a better season than any of the targets of Chelsea FC or Manchester United, it is worth noting that he played only 23 games in the league owing to hamstring injury that kept him sidelined for a number of days.
Miranda was on the verge of joining Manchester United 12 months ago and even reportedly said goodbye to his Atletico Mandrid team-mates after the Champions League defeat to Real Madrid but the 22 million price tag and Atleticoa s reluctance to budge from it scuppered any deal.
Miranda has already met with Atletico Madrid officials over his future and has once again told friends and team-mates that he could leave the club.
It now appears, however, Inter Milan will sign the defender who is currently away for Copa America duty with the Brazil rather than Manchester United or Chelsea FC.
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