SPORTS
Brazilian 18-year-old Coutinho, signed by Inter in 2008, wowed new coach Rafael Benitez during a pre-season tour of the United States and could force his way into the team.
Inter Milan are unlikely to go splashing the cash from Mario Balotelli's sale on a big-name forward, having already recruited exciting teenager Coutinho for the new season.
The European champions are selling Balotelli to Manchester City after running out of patience with the combustible 20-year-old, who was not a regular starter last term but found himself in a string of on- and off-the-field incidents.
Letting go of one of the few homegrown talents to make the first team in a cosmopolitan squad has upset some fans, but Inter believe they have other youngsters who can cover.
Brazilian 18-year-old Coutinho, signed by Inter in 2008 before staying on loan at his previous club Vasco da Gama until last month, wowed new coach Rafael Benitez during a pre-season tour of the United States and could force his way into the team.
"We're happy with the youngsters we saw in America — youngsters we had already seen. So we can stay calm," Inter owner Massimo Moratti told reporters when asked if last season's Serie A and Italian Cup winners would be making any big buys.
A move for Genoa midfielder Giuseppe Sculli is possible, but Liverpool's Javier Mascherano has been deemed too expensive.
Moratti said he would only buy if he sells and having kept Maicon rather than letting the Brazil right back join former coach Jose Mourinho at Real Madrid, there will only be the Balotelli money coming in and few options to spend it in attack.
Atletico Madrid's Diego Forlan and Villarreal's Giuseppe Rossi have been linked with Inter in the media, but the treble winners could decide to stick with what they have if Coutinho continues to impress with his fancy footwork and drive.
However, with Coutinho counting more as an attacking midfielder, Inter will only boast of Diego Milito, Samuel Eto'o and Goran Pandev as strikers and defender Marco Materazzi feels that may not be enough for a league season starting at Bologna on August 30.
"I'm happy for Mario, but we are weakened," Materazzi told Sky Television ahead of Friday's friendlies in Bari with Juventus and AC Milan, final warm-ups before the August 21 Italian Super Cup with AS Roma and the European Super Cup with Atletico on August 27.
Anil Ambani's company makes HUGE profit in 3 months, market cap now reaches Rs...
Is Space Travel Safe: Surprising ways Space affects human body
Aishwarya Rai and Katrina Kaif lost this blockbuster franchise of Rs 600 crore, were replaced by...
'Can't believe...': Woman dresses up as ghost in viral video, here's what happened next, WATCH
HURRY UP! Coldplay announces fourth show in Ahmedabad, tickets to go on sale from...
Chhath Puja turns scary! Venomous snake turns towards woman performing rituals, then…
Meet man who left college at 18, earned Rs 1200 crore at 20, is CEO now, has net worth of Rs...
Radhika Merchant changes name, shares thoughts on work and marriage
Renewable Energy: Power generation expert Shahroz Anjum leads way in solar optimisation
Meet man, Indian-origin VP, who uses vacations to determine if he's hired right people, he is...
Ricky Ponting hits back at Gautam Gambhir's 'minding own business' advice, says, 'He is…'
Decision between renting and owning: Krupa Goel's perspective on what's shaping choices today
SC pronounces verdict on 'bulldozer justice': 'Having a home is a longing that never fades...'
Archbishop of Canterbury resigns over Church of England sex abuse scandal
Why world's most valuable company Nvidia's CEO Jensen Huang doesn’t wear a watch, know here
Renowned Yoga guru Sharath Jois passes away at 53
Guru Nanak Jayanti 2024: Know date, time and significance of festival
DSP tracks down vegetable vendor after 14 years, reason will leave you surprised
Chennai Rain Alert: Heavy showers expected today, IMD issues warning to 11 districts
Ankur Warikoo shares details about his annual salary, reveals he earns Rs...
Donald Trump chooses Elon Musk to lead THIS new Department, it is...
Jharkhand Assembly Elections 2024 LIVE UPDATES: Voting for first phase begins
IND vs SA: Arshdeep Singh on verge of scripting history, need 8 wickets to achieve THIS massive feat
Bulldozer justice: SC to pronounce verdict today on pleas for guidelines on demolition of properties
IND vs SA, 3rd T20I: Predicted playing XIs, live streaming details, weather and pitch report
Russia plans to boost birth rate with 'Ministry of Sex', here's how
Jharkhand HC issues notice to MS Dhoni in business deal case, asks him to...
IND vs SA, 3rd T20I Dream11 prediction: Fantasy cricket tips for India vs South Africa match
Meet IAS officer, aka 'Collector Bro', who cracked UPSC exam in 2007, now suspended due to...
Here’s why Chunky Panday wouldn’t stay in Shah Rukh Khan’s house in London
Yash's Toxic in trouble? FIR filed against producers of KGF star's upcoming actioner for illegal...
Meet Dr Priti Challa, Kangana Ranaut film director Krish Jagarlamudi's second wife, she leads...
Yaariyan actor Himansh Kohli ties the knot with mystery girl in Delhi temple, first wedding pics out
‘Sometimes I wish I was more tough, more thick-skinned,’ says Aishwarya Rai in viral video
KL Rahul sweats hard in Perth nets ahead of BGT series, WATCH video here
Shahid Kapoor, wife Mira Kapoor rent out their Rs 580000000 luxury Mumbai apartment for Rs...
South Korean actor Song Jae-rim dies at 39 in Seoul apartment
Viral video: Thar SUV gets stuck on railway track after man tries to shoot reel, watch here
Elon Musk's new X post claims Putin must not be blamed for Russia-Ukraine war, instead names…
Fabulous Lives vs Bollywood Wives fame Shalini Passi reveals 'Mom used chilli powder in my...'
My experiences with dating apps
Zomato CEO Deepinder Goyal reveals how company got its name, says 'we wanted…'
Key Differences Between the Indian Stock Market and Global Indices
Stock prices vs company valuation: Is your stock worth it?
Navjot Singh Sidhu is back on Kapil Sharma's show after five years, but there's a twist
Mukesh Ambani set to invest Rs 65000 crore in THIS Indian state, it will be Reliance's biggest...
Mohammed Shami to return to competitive cricket; star pacer set to play for…