'It wasn't what I had dreamed of': Christian Eriksen requests to leave Inter Milan

Danish playmaker joined the Serie A club on a four-and-a-half-year contract in January but has fallen out of favour with manager Antonio Conte

Inter Milan midfielder Christian Eriksen training session at Appiano Gentile.

Inter Milan striker Romelu Lukaku takes part in a training session at Appiano Gentile in Como, Italy. All photos by Inter via Getty Images

Milan Skriniar looks on during Inter Milan training session.

Danilo D'Ambrosio takes part in an Inter Milan training session.

Ashley Young takes part in an Inter Milan training session.

Romelu Lukaku, front, and his Inter Milan teammates go through their paces.

Inter Milan players take part in a training session.

Christian Eriksen has admitted that his "dream" move to Inter Milan has not worked out as planned after the Danish playmaker requested a transfer to leave the Serie A club.

Eriksen, 28, moved to Inter on a four-and-a-half-year contract worth €20 million ($23 million) plus €7.5m in bonuses in January after a largely exemplary seven years at Tottenham Hotspur.

But during a year overshadowed by the coronavirus pandemic, the Denmark international has been unable to reproduce his best form from his days at Spurs, where he scored 69 goals and had 89 assists in 305 appearances.

"It wasn't what I had dreamed of," said Erikson, who has fallen down the pecking order under Inter manager Antonio Conte. "People would like to see me play and I would like to do the same, but the coach has different ideas and I have to respect them."

Eriksen has played seven times this season – four as a starter – with no assists or goals. In total he has scored four goals for Inter in 33 games.

"We must never hold back a player who asks to be transferred," club CEO Giuseppe Marotta said on Sunday, confirming Eriksen's impending exit.

Conte insisted Eriksen "has had many opportunities and played more than others".

"My choices are always made for the good of Inter," the Italian said. "When I deem it appropriate he'll be able to play in the starting 11 or during the game."

One of the problems facing Eriksen has been that Inter have many options in central and attacking midfield.

Chilean Arturo Vidal arrived from Barcelona last summer, with Radja Nainggolan, Marcelo Brozovic, and Ivan Perisic also in the position. Conte has insisted he will not change the Dane's position to a more defensive one.

"Eriksen has an important role and style of play, both on the left and the right," said Conte. "If you take that away and play him deeper in front of the defence you run the risk of distorting the player. It's a technical decision."

Eriksen has not featured in Inter's last two league games and also looks set to miss their Champions League Group B clash against Real Madrid at the San Siro on Wednesday.

The Italians are bottom of the group, and lost the away leg 3-2, despite coming from two goals down to equalise before Real snatched victory.

Eriksen has been linked with moves to French champions Paris Saint-Germain, or a return to the Premier League with Arsenal or Manchester United.