Gazzetta dello Sport reports that should Luka Modric join Inter from Real Madrid, it could trigger a domino effect involving Juventus’ Miralem Pjanic and Lazio’s Sergej Milinkovic-Savic.
Croatia captain Modric did not report for pre-season training with Los Blancos yesterday, despite being due at the club’s training ground.
It is thought the 32-year-old has told the European champions of his desire to leave, with a move to San Siro appearing the most likely destination at this stage.
And Gazzetta believes that if Modric does depart, Real would look to respond by pursuing a move for Bianconeri midfielder Pjanic.
The Old Lady do not want to sell the 28-year-old Bosnian and would only consider doing business for a fee of around €100m.
But armed with the €100m they received from Juve for Cristiano Ronaldo, added to any fee for Modric, the Italian daily says it is not inconceivable that Madrid President Florentino Perez would look to make a statement of intent.
And in the event Pjanic moved to the Spanish capital in a mega-deal, Juve would then have the funds to go for Lazio’s Milinkovic-Savic.
The 23-year-old is back in pre-season training with the Biancocelesti, with his expected transfer to a leading European club having failed to materialise so far this summer.
Stadio Olimpico chief Claudio Lotito wants at least €120m for the Serb, who does not appear to be pushing hard for a move elsewhere.