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Italian giants Inter Milan have stepped up their attempts to land Cardiff City’s Gary Medel by making an offer to sign him on loan for the 2014-15 season.

The man Ole Gunnar Solskjaer openly admits is too good for the Championship has become a target for clubs across Europe following his stunning World Cup performances for Chile in Brazil.

And reports in Italy say Inter have made their move by offering to take Medel on loan for the season with an option to buy in 12 months’ time.

Some media outlets claim the transfer is close to completion, although we understand the Bluebirds aren't overly keen on letting their midfield powerhouse go out on loan.

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Medel became the Bluebirds’ record-signing when he switched from Sevilla in an £11m deal a year ago and Cardiff chairman Mehmet Dalman has already stated the club will look to recoup much of the cash they paid out for the player dubbed ‘El Pitbull’.

Cardiff are bracing themselves for the loss of the 26-year-old with boss Solskjaer having recently admitted he is powerless to stop stars such as Medel and Steven Caulker – who have relegation clauses in their contracts – quitting South Wales following the club’s drop out of the Premier League.

But it is thought it would still take a sizeable fee to trigger that escape clause for Medel, whose Brazil 2014 exploits have made him an idol in his homeland.

Chile's own President Michelle Bachelet posed for a selfie with the player while a street was recently named after the Bluebird.

Medel recently told reporters in Chile that he hoped “doors had opened” for him after his displays in Brazil, admitting that the prospect of moving to Italy appealed to him.

Juventus have been reported as being among the interested parties for Medel along with Valencia – who are also thought to have made a loan bid for the player, former club Sevilla, Celta Vigo and Turkish outfit Besiktas, although that was played down last week by coach Slaven Bilic.

Medel is currently undergoing treatment for the thigh-injury suffered before Chile’s epic second-round clash with Brazil, one that reduced the hard-man midfielder to tears as the pain took its toll in extra-time before the hosts went though on penalties.

Solskjaer, who oversaw Cardiff’s first pre-season fixture last night as the Bluebirds beat Welsh Premier League side Carmarthen Town, expects Medel to be back in South Wales in three weeks’ time.

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