As the official start of another transfer window draws near (for those unaware, in Italy it doesn’t officially until July 1) the time has come to examine Inter’s summer 2011 calciomercato.

The first and most important move of the close season has been announcing Gian Piero Gasperini as the new head coach.  With a manager now in place, the club can now concentrate on making moves that will strengthen the squad to compete in both the domestic and European fronts next season within the tactical ideas laid down by the former Genoa boss.

A name that has been the subject of speculation for the last two summers is Maicon. One of the more frequently asked questions is not if he will make the move to Real Madrid, but rather when and for how much.  President Massimo Moratti has said that the right back is staying at Inter, though it seems as if the Nerazzurri are preparing for life after Maicon with the imminent arrival of Jonathan Moreira from Brazilian club Santos.

Another name seemingly on the move is Sulley Muntari. Deemed surplus in the latter half of last season, he was sent to Sunderland on loan but was not permanently signed by the English club to the dismay of many Inter tifosi. Turkish club Galatasaray have submitted a €10 million bid which the club reportedly accepted, but the Ghanaian has said that he is returning to Inter and that he wants to stay.

Both Diego Milito and Thiago Motta are destined to stay, despite speculation that they would be leaving late in the season. Gasperini’s arrival has sparked memories of Genoa’s 2008-09 season, where Milito and Motta were so superb that their form prompted Inter to solidify the deal to buy them in February of 2009.

Speaking of Genoa, the latest name to have been linked with the Nerazzurri this off season has been Rodrigo Palacio, with Goran Pandev potentially moving in the opposite direction. While he was also touted for a move to Inter during January’s transfer window, it may be more realistic now with Gasperini as coach.

There has been no shortage of players being linked to Inter, from the blockbuster names of Alexis Sanchez and Javier Pastore to those of the relegated clubs such as Andrea Poli and Angelo Palombo.  Sanchez is by now a far removed memory who was never going to end up at Inter due to the price Udinese wanted for him. Pastore looks to be heading anywhere outside Italy, provided the purchasing club can give Palermo owner Maurizio Zamparini a figure near his personal €55 million valuation.

Palombo has been linked with Inter over the last year, but due to his very admirable leadership and loyalty, he has decided to stay with Sampdoria in their fight to regain top flight status. Poli, on the other hand, has been frequently linked with the Nerazzurri ever since the season ended. The talented Italian is only 21 and looks to have a bright future ahead of him.

A very interesting scenario has come up with Inter gaining full rights to Emiliano Viviano, who was co-owned with Bologna last season.  Everyone predicted that Bologna would submit the winning bid, but due to a mistake by their sporting director, Viviano is now fully owned by the Nerazzurri.  This puts Inter in somewhat of a predicament, as Italy’s number two goalkeeper was not expected to return so early with Julio Cesar still under contract.

There have been suggestions made with what to do with Viviano, including the idea of possibly sending him to Roma in exchange for Mirko Vucinic, who has been trying to maneuver a move away from the Giallorossi.

Many Interisti have complained about the lack of action on the market front, but the management’s primary concern up to this point was to find a coach.  It would have been illogical to go and buy players for the sake of buying without a manager.  The fans must have faith that President Moratti, Marco Branca and Piero Ausilio will make intelligent decisions regarding the purchase of players within the Financial Fair Play regulations that best suit Inter.