Inter: Chiesa, Icardi or a Serie A signing to strengthen their attack in January?

Chivu backed his players after the derby defeat but did not rule out signing another player.

"A fifth striker from the transfer market? It’s a fair point, but it’s too easy to talk about it now that Lautaro is injured and the other two strikers aren’t well. These things happen, fortunately not often. We’ll make some assessments, but we’re still happy with our four strikers."

Former Inter player Mauro Icardi put himself forward in the days immediately before the derby. Speaking to Repubblica, the Argentine centre-forward and former captain, without a club since leaving Galatasaray, confirmed he dreams of returning to Inter, even as fifth choice, to rewrite the unhappy final days of his career in Milan.

"I spent important years there, I wore the captain's armband, and I built part of who I am in that shirt. The ending was painful, and I would like to be able to bring things to a close differently. A return would only make sense if we both believed in it and had a goal to pursue together. I still have a lot to give: if I return somewhere, I return to be useful and to win."

Available immediately, Icardi could be an option, but the approaching break may slow the club's deliberations and push them back until January. At that point, a long-standing target of Beppe Marotta's could come back into consideration and might be available for a relatively modest fee.

Federico Chiesa continues to struggle for playing time at Liverpool. He has already made it clear that, for the first time, he is genuinely ready to give up the Premier League option to play regularly again. If fit, he could give Inter a versatile option as a second striker or out wide, allowing them to switch to a more attacking formation during a match. He would also bring the one-on-one ability the squad lacks.

The final option would be more significant financially: moving ahead of the competition for one of the many talents Inter are also tracking in our league. That would bring forward a potential deal otherwise set to be completed at the end of the year.

According to Sportmediaset, Inter could move for Paul Mendy of Cagliari or Gustavo Varela, who has broken through at Monza. Both would require a transfer fee, but wages and contract costs would have a relatively smaller impact.

Talks are ongoing. A fifth striker may not arrive after all, but Chivu has opened a small Pandora's box ahead of January.