Inter enter the final stretch of pre-season in good shape on the pitch but with pressing business still unfinished off it. The 2-1 win over Juventus in Perth on August 8 was the clearest signal yet that Cristian Chivu's side are building nicely ahead of the new Serie A campaign. Ange-Yoan Bonny and Pio Esposito each contributed an assist, underlining their readiness to lead the attack while Lautaro Martinez and Marcus Thuram remain absent. Both strikers will miss the opening weeks of the season, making Esposito's role in the early fixtures against Monza and beyond a genuine storyline to watch.

The transfer window, though, is where Inter face the most uncertainty. The club still has no replacement for Denzel Dumfries, who left for Real Madrid, after deals for Palestra and Khalaili both collapsed. Chivu has now signalled a change in approach, pushing for an experienced profile rather than a younger option. A move for Cristian Romero has also stalled, with the Argentine defender increasingly likely to join Atletico Madrid instead, leaving Inter's defensive reinforcement plans dependent on how Benjamin Pavard is used.

In midfield, Hakan Calhanoglu dismissed speculation over a return to Turkey, stating his focus is on defending the Scudetto and reaching another Champions League final. With the season opener against Monza at San Siro set for August 22, Inter head into the final pre-season weeks carrying genuine confidence from their results but aware that the squad still needs strengthening before the window closes.