Inter Milan forced to postpone Yan Sommer pursuit

On the same day Manchester United confirmed Andre Onana’s arrival from Inter Milan, the Italians’ bid to replace the Cameroonian suffered a blow.

According to Gazzetta dello Sport, Bayern Munich’s negotiations with Valencia over Giorgi Mamardashvili’s move to the Allianz Arena have reached an impasse, blocking Yann Sommer’s departure.

Following a dramatic couple of weeks, Man Utd officially announced Onana’s deal on Thursday after agreeing to pay the Nerazzurri €52.5 million plus a further €5m in add-ons to sign the 27-year-old.

Inter tried to play a hard bargain on the former Ajax shot-stopper’s exit but eventually had to loosen the noose after realising the player’s firm desire to join the Old Trafford outfit.

Simone Inzaghi’s men have hoped to bring in two keepers to make up for Onana’s sale, identifying Sommer and Shakhtar Donetsk’s Anatoliy Trubin as their prime targets.

The 34-year-old Swiss international joined Bayern as an emergency signing last January after Manuel Neuer suffered an accident while on vacation with his family.

Sommer, who will turn 35 in a few months, has proved to be a reliable short-term option for the Bavarians. But they’ve recently tried to capture Mamardashvili as a more sustainable alternative.

However, talks with Valencia have hit a standstill, compelling head coach Thomas Tuchel to put the ex-Borussia Monchengladbach star’s sale on hold.

This unfortunate turn of events has hindered the Italians’ hopes of including the Swiss veteran in their pre-season squad that will soon take off for a tour on Japanese soil.

Bayern’s hesitance to let Sommer go comes as another stroke of bad luck for Inter after Shkahtar priced them out of Trubin’s deal, forcing Beppe Marotta to explore other prospects in the market.

Former Man Utd stalwart David de Gea has popped up as an unlikely candidate to fill the vacancy, though his staggering wage demands make it virtually impossible for the Nerazzurri to consider a move.

Inter can only hope Bayern can soon unlock Mamardashvili’s deal to allow them to take Sommer to Serie A, having already defined a personal agreement with the experienced keeper.