Inter director confirms Dumfries departure, Jones interest and mocks Fenerbahce

Inter sporting director Piero Ausilio has confirmed that Denzel Dumfries will be joining Real Madrid, that the club are hoping to secure deals for Curtis Jones and Oumar Solet, and has made it clear that the club has no intention of letting Hakan Calhanoglu leave for Fenerbahce: “They’ve bought all the players in the world.” Ausilio discuss Inter transfer plans: Dumfries, Jones, Solet, Stankovic and Calhanoglu latestThe Nerazzurri executive was among the guests present at the Festival della Serie A that has been taking place in Italy over the weekend. Ausilio spoke to reporters at the event and gave away several hints about Inter’s potential summer transfer plans. One player almost certain to leave the club is wing-back Dumfries, whose release clause has reportedly been activated by Real Madrid. “I think it’s now basically official that Dumfries, a great player who had a release clause, will leave,” Ausilio confirmed (via TMW). Ausilio later added: “Dumfries left, he had a release clause and more importantly, the desire to go. I understand the fans’ disappointment because he is a player who has given everything for Inter, but I’m happy for him. This great story has ended well and I wish him the best at Real. You never know in life, a guy who is leaving Inter with his heart full, maybe there’s a chance we’ll see him again.” Ausilio also confirmed the club’s interest in Liverpool midfielder Jones. Responding to those who suggest that there is a ‘minimal’ amount of distance between Inter’s offer and Liverpool’s asking price, Ausilio joked: “You say there’s minimal distance, but they’re not your millions! MILAN, ITALY – DECEMBER 09: Curtis Jones of Liverpool controls the ball whilst under pressure from Nicolo Barella of FC Internazionale Milano during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD6 match between FC Internazionale Milano and Liverpool FC at Stadio San Siro on December 09, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)“The interest in the lad was there in January and is still there now. Jones is a player we’ve been paying attention to for some time. We tried to negotiate in January and we will try again. If we find a common ground, great. Otherwise, we will do something else.” Ausilio also confirmed that Inter are hoping to strike a deal for Udinese centre-back Solet: “We will definitely do something about (the defence), I can confirm that. We have to intervene, even if it’s just for numbers because Darmian and Acerbi’s contracts are expiring. “Solet is among those that we’re following, he’s done well in Italy. Like him, however, there are also others. We will get ourselves a good defender for the start of the season.” Inter have also bought back Aleksandar Stankovic from Club Brugge after an impressive first season in Belgium, but it remains to be seen what role he will have to play in the 2026-27 season. Ausilio has confirmed that the young Serbia international will be given a chance to ‘audition’ in front of Cristian Chivu during pre-sesaon. BRUGES, BELGIUM – AUGUST 27: Aleksandar Stankovic of Club Brugge celebrates scoring his team’s fifth goal during the UEFA Champions League Play-offs Round Second Leg match between Club Brugge and Rangers at Jan Breydelstadion on August 27, 2025 in Bruges, Belgium. (Photo by Alex Bierens de Haan/Getty Images)“Buying him back has already been a big sign of confidence because we think he has qualities that an Inter player present and future must have. I know the lad wants to stay, Chivu knows him well. We’ll start with him and Massolin in pre-season. “Youngsters have to have the space to play, we will try to accommodate that. Stankovic is an Inter asset, let’s see what happens in the window.” There have also been reports that Fenerbahce are attempting to lure Turkiye international Calhanoglu away from Inter. There had been reports last summer that it was Galatasaray who had an ‘agreement’ with the Nerazzurri midfielder. Given that Inter and Calhanoglu went on to win the domestic double after last summer’s transfer saga, Ausilio joked that maybe Besiktas should try next. MILAN, ITALY – MAY 17: Hakan Calhanoglu poses for a photo with the Coppa Campioni d’Italia and Coppa Italia trophies following the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Hellas Verona FC at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on May 17, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)“I hope it will be like it was last season. If a summer soap opera leads to a Scudetto and the Coppa Italia, maybe we should go ahead and run in the next elections at Besiktas (and try to sign Calhanoglu). “I hope they have some resources left, because they’ve bought all the players in the world, even the sporting directors and coaches too. There is a problem, though: Calhanoglu has a contract and Inter want to keep him. I don’t think those statements have any meaning or even a continuation.”