Internazionale have opened talks with Real Madrid over the potential signing of Portuguese full-back Fabio Coentrao, according to various reports.
Roberto Mancini's side view Coentrao as the solution to their growing problems at full-back and have begun negotiating a fee with the Spanish giants.
Gianluca Di Marzio has reported that although there are good relations between both clubs, Matteo Kovacic, who has been subject of a reported bid from Los Blancos, will not be used as leverage.
The Nerazzurri are said to be offering €7.6 million for his services, but the La Liga outfit are holding out for a sum closer to the €15 million mark.
An adept left-back
At 27, Coentrao, who was on the verge of joining Manchester United in 2013, boasts a wealth of experience.
The full-back has been capped by the Portuguese national side on 50 separate occasions, having represented his country at each level.
The 27-year-old joined the La Liga side from Benfica in 2011, though has struggled to nail down a starting berth with Brazilian full-back and fan favourite Marcelo present.
The diminutive South American has made the left-back position his own in recent years, with the Portuguese featuring only nine times under Carlo Ancelotti last term.
Mancini's left-back conundrum
It comes as a surprise to many that Inter are openly pursuing a first-choice left-back this summer.
Davide Santon rejoined the Milan outfit from Newcastle United and yielded a string of impressive performances, but was quickly marginalised in favour of Juan Jesus, who ended the season as the Italian's chief left-back.
Santon now appears to be angling for a move away, with the seasoned Yuto Nagatomo also ready to depart the club.
Inter, with the myriad additions this summer, must now trim their squad ahead of this campaign and both will face the axe as a result.