Personally, I don't even like Guarin much (and he's definitely not who I would call a popular Inter player), but it's the principle of the whole thing that's rubbing me the wrong way.
I honestly don't understand why all the rage. It might be a good deal for us (and bad for Inter) but it's not that worse. Mirko is definitely an upgrade to Inter's offense. And they don't even like Guarin (anymore).
Watch Padoin precede him in the pecking order, we all know how Conte rolls with his favourites, bet Marotta is signing him to punish Guarin a la Elia or to fuck with Inter.