Inter Milan’s Pursuit of Free Agent Real Madrid Captain Nacho Faces Major Hurdles

Spanish media outlets Marca and AS have confirmed that Real Madrid’s 34-year-old captain, Nacho, has informed the club of his intention to leave at the end of the season. Having joined Real Madrid’s youth academy in his childhood, Nacho has dedicated 23 years to the club and feels it’s time for a new adventure. Consequently, over the past 24 hours, several Italian media sources have reported that Inter Milan is among the frontrunners to sign Nacho on a free transfer. Renowned transfer expert Fabrizio Romano highlighted, "Just like a year ago, Inter has shown a strong interest in Nacho."

A year ago, Inter was very close to securing Nacho’s signature, with some veteran transfer market experts confidently predicting the deal. However, at the last minute, Real Madrid, under Carlo Ancelotti's insistence, managed to retain Nacho, delaying his departure. Subsequently, Inter sold André Onana and brought in Benjamin Pavard. Last summer, due to the departure of a certain Slovakian player to Paris Saint-Germain, Inter had an urgent need to reinforce their defense and attack. However, their limited budget meant tough choices had to be made.

Many experts have since pointed out that if Inter had signed Nacho last summer on a free transfer, they might have had more funds for attacking reinforcements, potentially avoiding the signing of Marko Arnautović, which was widely regarded as the least cost-effective of Inter’s 12 summer transfers. Of course, in football, hypothetical scenarios are of limited value. The pressing question now is: How likely is Inter to sign Nacho a year later? According to Romano and other market experts, two main challenges complicate the potential deal.

Challenge 1: Tax Incentives in Serie A

Firstly, Serie A no longer offers tax incentives. Nacho’s current salary at Real Madrid is €8.54 million before tax (approximately €4.6 million after tax), plus bonuses. To put this into perspective, it’s rare for a player moving on a free transfer to accept a pay cut. If Inter were to offer a slight pay increase to sign him, Nacho would become one of the top five earners at the club, alongside key players like Lautaro Martínez, Hakan Çalhanoğlu, and Alessandro Bastoni.

Nacho’s versatility is a significant asset; he has played 70 games at left-back, 55 at right-back, and 283 at center-back, covering both left and right sides. Signing him would boost Inter’s Champions League experience, mental fortitude, and depth for multiple competitions. However, asserting that Nacho would undoubtedly surpass the “Bastoni-Acerbi-Pavard” structure to become an undisputed starter, earning a top salary while commanding the respect of his teammates, is far from certain. Under these conditions, his high salary could become a financial burden for Inter.

Last summer, Inter offered Nacho an annual salary of around €5 million after tax. Back then, Serie A’s tax incentives meant Nacho’s pre-tax salary (over €6 million) was mid-range at Inter. However, with the tax benefits now gone, this presents a significant hurdle for Inter in signing Nacho on a free transfer.

Challenge 2: Nacho’s Numerous Options

Secondly, Nacho has plenty of other options, both financially and competitively. Marca reports that Nacho is open to all possibilities except staying in La Liga, as his deep affection for Real Madrid prevents him from wanting to compete against them. Beyond this, he is considering opportunities in the Premier League, Serie A, MLS, and even the Saudi Pro League.

Western media have mentioned that Saudi financial backers are preparing to extend a sincere offer to Nacho, and this sincerity is likely to manifest in a lucrative contract. Despite his age, Nacho remains a vital player for Real Madrid, ranking among the top 11 in playing time this season and recently captaining the team in the Champions League match against Manchester City. His reputation is significant to the Saudi league, which values high-profile signings.

Nacho has a large following on social media, and recent comments from his fans show a split opinion. Many are urging him to seek new competitive challenges in the Premier League, while others suggest he should secure a high-paying contract in the Middle East to enjoy the final years of his career. Comparatively, moving to Serie A appears less attractive, seemingly caught between these two options.

Although Inter has the advantage of last year’s smooth negotiations with Nacho, convincing him to join now requires substantial effort. Based on these challenges, signing Nacho won’t be easy. Romano noted, “Inter wants to sign this free agent, but it’s not simple.” Nonetheless, Inter will continue to try, given their history of successful signings from Real Madrid, including Cambiasso, Samuel, Figo, and more recently, Hakimi. Even at 34, Nacho is widely acknowledged as a player capable of performing at the highest levels of football.

Inter Milan’s pursuit of Nacho is marked by significant obstacles, but the potential benefits he brings to the team are undeniable. The coming months will determine whether Inter can overcome these challenges and secure the services of a seasoned and versatile defender to bolster their squad.