Previously linked with a move to Napoli, Andy Diouf is close to joining Inter on a permanent transfer, so we take a closer look at the 22-year-old.
Inter are close to signing Lens midfielder Diouf and are expected to finalise the deal with a conference call today, Football Italia sources understand.
Who is new Inter signing Diouf?
SEVILLE, SPAIN – SEPTEMBER 20: Andy Diouf of RC Lens looks on during the UEFA Champions League match between Sevilla FC and RC Lens at Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan on September 20, 2023 in Seville, Spain. (Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images)
According to Gazzetta, the Nerazzurri have picked the 22-year-old because of his age and skill set, which will likely complete the Inter midfield.
Diouf is a modern, box-to-box midfielder who can also play as a holding midfielder, deeper in the middle of the park.
The France international already played and scored against an Italian club.
It happened in 2023 when his former club Basel beat Fiorentina 2-1 at the Stadio Franchi in the Conference League semifinal first leg.
🇫🇷 Andy Diouf from the halfway line 🥵#OTD || #UECL pic.twitter.com/gChmvc2b8J
— UEFA Conference League (@Conf_League) May 11, 2024
Diouf spent three years, from 2012 to 2015, in the PSG youth sector before moving to AC Boulogne-Billancourt and Stade Rennais.
Diouf holds record for accelerations in Europe’s top seven leagues in 2024-25
MARSEILLE, FRANCE – JULY 30: Andy Diouf #20 of Team France and Michael Boxall #2 of Team New Zealand battle for the ball during the Men’s group A match between New Zealand and France during the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Stade de Marseille on July 30, 2024 in Marseille, France. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
He joined Basel on loan in 2022 and the Swiss side made his move permanent for €5.5m in 2023 before sending him to Lille for €14m.
A former U21 France international, Diouf made his senior debut with Les Blues in 2024 and has two senior international appearances to his name.
He already made his official debut in the 2025-26 season, playing 90 minutes in Lens’ 1-0 loss against Lyon on August 16.
As reported by DataMB on X, formerly Twitter, Diouf had 35 accelerations in the Ligue 1 last season, more than any other midfielder in the top seven leagues in Europe.
No midfielder had more accelerations (35) than Andy Diouf in the Top 7 Leagues last season 💨
🇫🇷 vs Ligue 1 Midfielders
◉ Accelerations – 1st
◉ Ball carrying frequency – 1st
◎ Progressive carries – 2nd
◎ Successful dribbles – 3rd
◎ Offensive duels won – 3rd
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