Internazionale president Massimo Moratti has revealed that the club has to sell players before any new ones can be brought in.
Coach Andrea Stramaccioni was only appointed earlier this month and will now have to wait to bring in more players until he can clear some of the squad he inherited.
Stramaccioni has already signed Rodrigo Palacio and is expected to also complete a deal for Matias Silvestre.
Moratti said: "There is nothing to say about the transfer market. Do we have to sell first? Certainly."
Inter finished sixth in Serie A last season.