Next week Inter will make their official offers for Ricardo Carvalho, Frank Lampard and Amantino Mancini.
Ever since Jose Mourinho took charge there has been endless newspaper talk over their transfer campaign, but no real action as yet.
That is set to change in the next few days, as meetings with both Chelsea and Roma representatives have been lined up.
It is reported in the Gazzetta dello Sport today that it is crunch time for Lampard, who is expected to tell the Stamford Bridge side he is not renewing his contract.
As it expires in 2009, under FIFA’s Article 17 ruling he could be available for just £7m, but as a gesture of good will Inter are prepared to pay a little more.
This is because 30-year-old Lampard does not wish to leave Chelsea on bad terms, especially with the scandal whipped up by Cristiano Ronaldo over at Manchester United.
There are even some suggestions the England midfielder has changed his mind and wants to remain close to his family.
In that case, the Nerazzurri are also preparing a substantial £15m bid for Mourinho’s protégé Ricardo Carvalho so at least one of the Chelsea stars will come to San Siro.
The defender only moved to London in order to work with Mourinho again after their time together at Porto, but with Portugal Coach Luiz Felipe Scolari taking over in London, he may find his loyalties split.
In fact, Italian newspapers suggest the bid is also an incentive for Scolari to talk Lampard into leaving rather than losing Carvalho.
The negotiations over Amantino Mancini are considerably more straightforward, as Roma have already given their consent for Inter to talk directly to the player.
A four-year contract worth £2.5m per season is drawn up and ready to sign, but the only issue is over cash or players to complete the move.
The Giallorossi would prefer £10m in hard cash and are only interested in Julio Cruz or Pele as counterparts, neither of which Inter want to release.
