Friday, 1st July, 2011
Inter face a tough decision over the future of Brazilian centre back Lucio, with Bayern Munich and Chelsea waiting in the wings.
Lucio wants a new two-year extension to his current deal with the Nerazzurri, but Inter themselves believe that the 33-year-old should be handed just an extra year, leading to a conflict between player and club.
According to Sky Italia, that has been noted in both Munich and London, with Bayern Munich and Chelsea considering swooping in to take advantage of a potential impasse in talks between Lucio and the 2010 Champions League winners.
The defender’s future is unlikely to be sorted out quickly though, with the 33-year-old all set to play for Brazil at the 2011 Copa America. Further stellar performances from the former Bayer Leverkusen man in Argentina could impress upon Inter the need to act and cave in to Lucio’s demand for a two-year extension.
Bayern Munich, the club at which Lucio plied his trade between 2004 and 2009, would dearly love to take the defender back to the Allianz Arena, believing they let him leave before his time. And Lucio does retain a soft spot for the Bundesliga giants.
However, if an acceptable contract offer from Inter does not materialise, a switch to Chelsea is also an intriguing option.
Blues’ boss Andre Villas-Boas’ priority is winning the Champions League for Chelsea’s owner Roman Abramovich and Lucio, a player steeped in experience and with the understanding of what it takes to lift Europe’s showpiece trophy, could be an inspired addition to the English side’s backline.
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