Why, then, just shy of one year since his arrival, is it likely that Eriksen is going to be making his way away from Inter?

Tactical and technical differences with coach Antonio Conte has seen the Dane barely kick a ball for Inter this season. Even last season, he was rarely used to the standard and the amount that was expected when Conte pushed for the Nerazzurri to do the deal. Eriksen was out of contract in June 2020 yet Inter paid a premium in the region of €20m to sign him early.

Conte, though, barely used the playmaker and when he did play, he looked out of sync with his teammates. At the moment, then, there is ample talk in Italy that an exit will come as soon as January. Reports from Germany in the summer show that Borussia Dortmund were keen on adding the playmaker to their team. This never happened, though, and they instead signed Reinier Jesus from Real Madrid on a two-year loan.

Where will Eriksen arrive?

One of the most interesting places that is being mentioned is a return to London with Tottenham Hotspur. Having arrived from Ajax as a precocious youngster, Eriksen was seen as a club icon and was one of the most beloved players by fans. His exit, though, may have soured relations as he played below his usual quality for at least a year prior to his exit.

Other names being linked with him are Paris Saint-German. The Parisians, though, are frequently used as a ‘big name’ to be included in transfer links. Given their links to former teammate Dele Alli, though, there may be truth in the fact that Paris would like another attacking talent in the team.

Eriksen, though, has made clear that he wants out of Inter if things don’t change soon. Gametime has been minimal, and there has even been tentative links to domestic rivals like AS Roma and AC Milan. One thing is expected to happen by January, and that is that Eriksen will start more games for his current side.

With Inter struggling for goals and creativity again this year, his continual removal from the pitch makes even less sense. Though never seen as the kind of player that coach Conte tends to build around, it was expected that Conte had a clear plan for the Dane given how hard he fought to secure his signature.

As it stands, though, an exit – either from Inter or from Italy entirely – looks as likely as anything come the summer. With Conte perhaps under pressure to keep his job after a mediocre second season, though, one thing that might keep the Dane in Italy would be a change of coach.

One thing is pretty likely, though; one of Conte or Eriksen will no longer don the blue and black of Inter come January 2021.