Inter Milan Faces Striker Crisis as Marcus Thuram and Ange-Yoan Bonny Suffer Injuries

Inter Milan has been hit by a severe offensive crisis after losing both forwards Marcus Thuram and Ange-Yoan Bonny to muscle injuries within a span of hours. The sudden double blow leaves manager Cristian Chivu with limited attacking options as the squad navigates key upcoming fixtures following the international break.

Marcus Thuram sustained a right hamstring strain during Inter's recent league victory over Como. Although he joined the French national team training camp, his condition failed to improve, prompting the medical staff to release him back to his club. The French federation stated that after medical evaluations and with mutual agreement between the player and Inter, the staff decided to return him to Milan. Consequently, Thuram will miss upcoming matches against Italy and Turkey.

Meanwhile, teammate Ange-Yoan Bonny underwent clinical and instrumental examinations at the Humanitas Institute in Rozzano, which revealed a muscle strain in his right thigh flexors. Medical projections indicate that Bonny will be sidelined for at least three weeks, potentially missing several crucial games in both Serie A and cup competitions. With Lautaro Martínez also dealing with fitness concerns, Chivu faces a depleted frontline ahead of domestic and European fixtures.

Away from the pitch, Thuram is also navigating complex contract discussions with the club. Inter has initiated talks to extend his current deal, which runs until 2028, by an additional three years. However, negotiations have experienced a slow start due to wage policy adjustments implemented by Oaktree.

Under the new corporate policy, Inter aims to reduce salaries for players entering their thirties. Management has reportedly proposed a fixed base salary ranging between €4.5 million and €5 million, supplemented by bonuses and benefits designed to match his current earnings of approximately €6.5 million plus bonuses per season.

Reports indicate that the French forward is hesitant to accept this proposed structure, especially since he does not turn thirty until August. While foreign clubs are reportedly monitoring the situation ahead of the summer transfer window, Thuram maintains a desire to prioritize Inter, though he is pushing to retain his current financial terms. On the field, his importance to the squad has grown significantly this season, recording six goals in Serie A and stepping up during the absence of injured teammates.