Genoa to sell Ranocchia to Inter
Reuters - Monday 27 December 2010, 18:16
MILAN - Genoa agreed to sell Italy centre-back Andrea Ranocchia to Inter Milan on Monday, giving shock new
Inter coach Leonardo his first January signing.
The 22-year-old defender signed for Genoa from Bari in the
close season in a part-ownership deal with Inter, who will now
take his full registration for 12.5 million euros according to local media reports.
"On one hand I'm sorry to let a player like that go but, on
the other hand, decisions have to be made," Genoa president
Enrico Preziosi, who last year sold Diego Milito and Thiago
Motta to Inter, told reporters.
"We can say we have found a mutually satisfactory
agreement."
Ranocchia is set to train with the world, European and
Italian champions when they resume work after the mid-season
break on Wednesday with his move being made official when the
January transfer window opens.
The centre-back, who made his Italy debut in November, will
add depth to Inter's defensive options with Walter Samuel having
been ruled out for the season with a knee injury.
Seventh-placed Inter, whose next Serie A game is at home to
Napoli on January 6, have also been linked in the media with
Udinese's Chilean forward Alexis Sanchez.
Ex-AC Milan coach Leonardo was named Inter boss on Friday
after Rafael Benitez, who had publically bemoaned a lack of
signings, left the faltering treble winners by mutual consent.