Representatives of Danish international midfielder Christian Eriksen have filed an arbitration request through a sports court in Italy. They claim they’re due a commission from Eriksen’s £17 million transfer to Inter Milan from Tottenham a year ago.
Eriksen’s reps insist they were owed a £6 million commission following the transaction and that some of the payments never arrived. The Danish star signed a four-and-a-half year contract with Inter Milan last January.
It’s a fact of life that when someone signs up for a service, figuring out how to make payments is a vital part of the process. For their part, Inter Milan officials insist that there’s been no impropriety, that there are no outstanding payments and that all of the money toward the commission was sent along in a timely manner.
Inter are reported to be struggling with cash liquidity issues and may need to raise cash quickly by selling some players.
Eriksen is expected to be among those who will depart. Odds are that he will be moved before the Feb. 1 transfer window closes.
“Christian Eriksen” by amil.delic is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0
Out Of Favor
Eriksen’s time with Inter hasn’t worked out at all. Neither side in the equation seems happy with the outcome of his performance for the San Siro side.
After he transferred to Inter from English Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur, Eriksen made 17 appearances over the second half of the Serie A season. He scored one goal. Inter Milan finished the season second in Serie A, one point behind the champions Juventus.
This season, Eriksen has been out of favor with Inter. He’s started just six matches in all competitions, making 14 appearances in total. He’s yet to score this season.
Inter’s chief executive Giuseppe Marotta was recently critical of Eriksen’s performance, insisting that the player’s move to Italy has not worked out for anyone both on and off the pitch.
“It’s not a punishment,” Marotta told Sky Sports of Eriksen’s frequent absence from Inter’s first XI. “Simply, he’s a player who had a few issues in adjusting to life here at Inter.
“Let’s say he’s not functional to the team, but this is an objective fact, which does not take anything away from his professionalism.”
Getting called into the side for a Jan. 13th Coppa Italia match against Fiorentina, Eriksen turned in a solid performance in Inter’s 2-1 victory. Eriksen was utilized as a regista, a deep-lying play-making role. It’s the first time he’s performed that task for Inter. Eriksen played all 120 minutes as the Nerazzurri recorded the win in extra-time.
His shot into the area led to a penalty that Inter converted. And it was Eriksen who delivered the corner kick that resulted in Romelo Lukaku’s match winner.
Statistics show that the Danish player covered more ground during that match than any player on either side. He ran a total of 16.62km during the match.
Inter Milan manager Antonio Conte expressed hope that the positive performance would give a boost to Eriksen’s flagging confidence.
“I have always said we must be good at exploiting all our potential,” Conte told sempreinter.com. “The coach must be good at doing it and not leaving any stone unturned.
“Christian is a positive guy, he has trained all week and I played him in a role where we do not have much cover. We try to involve Eriksen in everything we do, then obviously I have to make choices.
“I hope that this match can also let him believe more in himself.”
“Inter Milan” by Wikimedia is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0
On the Move
“Is Eriksen on the market?” Marotta asked rhetorically. “I would say so, yes. [Inter sporting director] Piero Ausilio said it in his comments last week and I can reiterate it.”
Where Eriksen, 28, might be headed is anyone’s guess. There’s a long list of potential suitors.
Arsenal is seeking a creative midfielder. Eriksen would fit that billing. Wolves, Ajax, even a return to Spurs if Dele Alli were to leave the club have been speculated.
Eriksen scored 69 goals and created 89 others in 305 appearances with Spurs from 2013-20.
“We’ve been very clear many times that there are players on the so-called transfer list,” Marotta said. “These are players who want to play more regularly, and the club is ready to make them happy and find replacements. Eriksen is on the transfer list.
“He has struggled to settle into the squad. He is not functional to the squad. However, it’s also right to give him the opportunity to seek more game time elsewhere.
“Obviously, we will need to find a solution.”
