Inter weigh up Roma and Fiorentina options to replace Villarreal-bound Buchanan | OneFootball

Inter wideman Tajon Buchanan is set to join LaLiga side Villarreal on loan for the remainder of the 2024-25 season in a deal that will also include an option to buy, which leaves the Nerazzurri weighing up two options from Roma and Fiorentina to replace him according to Wednesday’s reports.

Buchanan, who joined the Nerazzurri last January, has not been able to gain a consistent run of appearances in the first team, particularly after the fractured tibia he suffered in the summer. As a result, he will move to Spain in a deal that could be worth up to €14m if Villarreal decide to make it permanent.

MILAN, ITALY – JANUARY 15: Tajon Trevor Buchanan of FC Internazionale is challenged by Tommaso Pobega of Bologna FC during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Bologna FC at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on January 15, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Inter consider two options to replace Buchanan

According to reports from La Gazzetta dello Sport, Inter are weighing up two low-cost options in the January transfer window as possible replacements for the outgoing Canadian.

One of them is Roma’s Nicola Zalewski, whose current Giallorossi contract is due to expire in five months’ time.

ROME, ITALY – DECEMBER 10: Nicola Zalewski of AS Roma looks on during the warm up prior to the Serie A TIM match between AS Roma and ACF Fiorentina at Stadio Olimpico on December 10, 2023 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)

Roma have looked at moving the Pole on over the last two transfer windows, but have not been able to arrange a sale as of yet.

The 23-year-old’s versatility is one of the main attractions for Inter, given that he is capable of covering at full-back or on the wing on both sides of the pitch.

Another option for Inter is 32-year-old Fiorentina left-back Cristiano Biraghi. The Viola defender is a former Inter academy graduate, and has already had three separate spells with the Nerazzurri first team.

Cristiano Biraghi of ACF Fiorentina applauds the fans after the UEFA Conference League 2024/25 League Phase MD1 match between ACF Fiorentina and The New Saints FC at Stadio Artemio Franchi on October 3, 2024 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)

His contract is also due to expire at the end of the 2024-25 season, which means that, like Zalewski, he could also be available for a low-cost fee in January, particularly given his lack of minutes under Raffaele Palladino this season.