Inter Move Ahead of AC Milan in Race for Serie A Teenage Star

Inter have moved ahead of city rivals AC Milan in the race for Cagliari teenager Paul Mendy, according to La Repubblica, as the Nerazzurri look to get in early on one of Serie A's brightest young prospects.

Mendy, a forward born in 2007, has drawn interest from both Milan clubs after a bright start to the season. No financial terms have been agreed with Cagliari yet, but Inter's groundwork behind the scenes has put them in the driving seat while Milan continue to watch on.

The push is being led by new sporting director Dario Baccin, who has personally travelled to watch Mendy on several occasions. He came away impressed with the player's potential and attacking ability, and has given the green light to press ahead with a formal move. That hands-on approach is a big reason Milan now find themselves trailing.

Mendy is the latest name to emerge from a Cagliari side enjoying a strong start to the campaign, which has put several of their players in the shop window. Alessandro Romano has already made his senior Italy debut and is being tracked by Juventus, while Daniel Maldini earned a nomination for September's Player of the Month after his early-season form.

The move fits Inter's wider strategy of getting in early for young Serie A talent rather than taking part in costly bidding wars at the top of the market. The real obstacle is Cagliari, who are climbing the table and will be reluctant to lose a prized attacker mid-season. Whether they would even consider a January sale is unclear, and Inter must decide whether to test the waters with a winter bid or wait until the end of the campaign.