Inter edge closer to Josep Martinez as Vicario pursuit cools

Inter’s goalkeeping plan is shifting

Josep Martinez is now gaining serious ground inside the Inter hierarchy and is close to being handed the starting role next season. The same report says the club’s talks with Guglielmo Vicario have cooled off, marking a clear change in direction for the Nerazzurri after weeks of speculation about a new No.1.

The key detail is not just that Inter are considering Martinez, but that he is no longer being treated as a simple alternative. Instead, he is being viewed as the most likely solution for the post-Sommer phase, with the club apparently ready to trust a goalkeeper already known internally rather than forcing through a complicated external move.

Why Vicario’s name has slipped down the list

Inter are no longer pushing as hard as they once were. That usually points to a mix of financial and sporting considerations, because Vicario would almost certainly require a major investment in wages and transfer fee, especially if Tottenham are unwilling to negotiate cheaply.

Martinez, by contrast, offers a more manageable route. Inter already know his profile, he has been integrated into the club’s environment, and he fits the logic of continuity that has often guided the club’s goalkeeper decisions. In a market where elite shot-stoppers come at a premium, promoting an internal option can be the most efficient move if the staff believe the player is ready.

Sommer’s situation remains the real pivot point

The most interesting part of the report is the line on Yann Sommer. The Swiss veteran is unlikely to stay as a backup, which means Inter cannot simply keep him on reduced terms and use him as experienced cover. If Sommer does not accept a secondary role, the club would then look for a veteran goalkeeper to serve as deputy behind Martinez.

That detail matters because it suggests Inter are preparing for a proper changing of the guard rather than a gradual rotation. A younger starter with an experienced second-choice keeper would be the cleanest structure for next season, and it would also reduce the risk of locking the squad into an expensive three-way compromise between two senior keepers and one prospect.

What this means for Chivu’s Inter

From a footballing point of view, choosing Martinez would be a statement of confidence in stability over market glamour. Inter have already built a strong collective structure, and in that context the goalkeeper is less about headline value and more about reliability in build-up, box command, and handling pressure in big Serie A and Champions League nights. If the staff believe Martinez can deliver that, the club may see no reason to chase a more expensive name.

Financially, it would also fit a sensible summer strategy. Inter are being linked with multiple major moves elsewhere, so saving money in goal could free up resources for positions where the squad needs more aggressive investment. In other words, Martinez’s rise may not just be about merit; it may also be about making the whole transfer window more balanced.

For now, the trend is unmistakable: Inter are moving toward Martinez, Vicario talks have cooled, and Sommer’s future could ultimately decide whether the club adds one more veteran to the goalkeeping department.