Article by Daniel Scorpie – Published Thursday, February 26, 2026, 2:57 p.m. / Updated Thursday, February 26, 2026, 2:59 p.m.
Inter wants to massively reshuffle the squad at the end of the season, when no fewer than 11 players could pack their bags. It is not only about five names at the end of the contract, but also holders like Marcus ThuramHakan Calhanoglu, Denzel Dumfries and even Nicolo Barella!
Inter is turning the page and wants to reduce the average age of a squad that has aged and worn out by the many battles of the last few seasons. And, three months before the end of the season, the list of names that would no longer be found in the Nerazzurri's summer squad has already appeared.
“Barella is in a precarious situation, going through a negative period. If he was put in front of the right offer, he would sell”
If the players who will be out of contract on June 30, 2026 are no longer a surprise, the same cannot be said about some heavy names, who have either passed an age or no longer meet the standards imposed by the club's management.
Nicolo Barella // PHOTO: Imago Images
La Gazzetta dello Sport revealed in today's print edition the surprises that could occur in the summer, when Cristi Chivu would be without several key players from this season. Holders with seniority at Inter, even a vice-captain, who wore the armband at the Nerazzurri's last match!
The rhetoric of revolution does not help us understand. It is more correct to imagine a deep restructuring that will serve to lower the average age of the squad and increase Inter over the years. After all, Marotta and Ausilio have already started a rejuvenation policy in recent months, only buying players under 24
– La Gazzetta dello SportItalian daily
The reference is to Nicolo Barella, a fan-loved player and the fifth-oldest member of the 'Giuseppe Meazza' squad after Bastoni, De Vrij, Lautaro Martinez and Dimarco! “Barella is in a precarious situation, especially since it is also going through a negative period. If it was put in front of the right offer, it would be sold.” writes the pink daily.
Free income in 2023, Thuram can bring good profit in summer!
The second hot name targeted by the summer reshuffle is Marcus Thuram. While the Frenchman's stats aren't bad at all, his declining performance of late, culminating in his performance in the Bodo/Glimt doubleheader, puts him in a bad light.
“One player who could leave is Marcus Thuram, who has slipped into obscurity for a few weeks despite scoring 12 goals this season. Competing with Pio gave him athletic freshness, but also instilled in him the frenzy of someone who always has something to prove.
Free transfer from Borussia Monchengladbach, Marcus Thuram has 128 games, 45 goals and 28 assists at Inter / Photo: Imago
Inter expected a lot more from him, not just against Bodo Glimt, and he is now ready to consider a parting way. Taken for free in 2023, Thuram would support the budget requirements, guaranteeing a substantial profit. There are non-transferable players right? One part of ThuLa is, the other is not! Even the best couples break up at some point.” explains Gazzetta dello Sport.
Two other names likely to leave are not news. Hakan Calhanoglu found himself at the center of a scandal with Lautaro right after Chivu's arrival, after learning of rumors of talks with Galatasaray, which were then denied by the Turk but have now been revived by coach Okan Buruk ahead of the second leg of the Juventus-Galatasaray Champions League play-off.
“It is highly unlikely that Calhanoglu, who is also plagued by injuries, will be offered an extension to his contract due in 2027”
“Troubled by physical problems and already wanted by Galatasaray last summer, Hakan has one year left on his contract and could return as a subject in the mercato, considering a possible trip to the Bosphorus though. Okan Buruk has spoken to him frequently and is waiting for him.
It is very unlikely that Inter will offer him the extension of the contract due in 2027. If convenient transfer opportunities do not arise for everyone, Calhanoglu could stay for the last season, then leave Italy at zero parameter,” commented the quoted source.
Hakan Calhanoglu, in the derby won by Inter, 3-2 with Juventus / Photo: Imago
As for Dumfries, courted by Liverpool in January, it's up to him. The 25 million clause is a button that needs to be activated at the right time. For Luis Henrique, on the other hand, potential admirers are expected
La Gazzetta dello SportItalian daily
Beyond these five names, which have featured frequently on Chivu's starters list in recent months, there is one more summer signing and five players whose contracts expire on June 30, 2026 and will not be called up for renewal talks.
Andy Diouf (22 years old), brought in the summer from Lens for 20 million euros, did not convince in the 20 matches in which he was used and is to be loaned to catch more minutes (only 529 at Inter), not yet being ready for the rigors of Serie A.
Sommer, Acerbi, De Vrij and Mkhitaryan will be transferred for free
And we come to the “veterans” chapter, well past 30 years: Yann Sommer, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Francesco Acerbi, Stefan de Vrij and Matteo Darmian. Neither will stay, with only a slim chance of the Armenian entering the year-long negotiation.
Cristi Chivu defended Yann Sommer on several occasions after the matches in which he made serious mistakes / Photo: Imago
“Acerbi, De Vrij and Darmian will surely leave Inter at the end of their contracts. In addition, the goalkeeper's problem must also be solved: Sommer will leave, also as a free agent, after three years of ups and downs, and needs to be replaced by a goalkeeper experienced enough to inherit his status.
It remains to be seen if the new goalkeeper (from the desirable Svilar to the slightly more affordable Vicario) he will, once again, be paired with Josep Martinez, an excellent second option but not reassuring enough for his promotion as a starter,” argued Gazzetta dello Sport.
