Inter Milan are planning to sign Lionel Messi, says Moratti

Former Inter Milan president Massimo Moratti believes his old club will plot another attempt to sign Lionel Messi from Barcelona if they haven’t already.

Talk of Messi joining Inter has been on-and-off over the years, with even Moratti attempting to do so during his reign at the San Siro between 1995 and 2013. He was ultimately unsuccessful, though.

This summer, however, may provide a rare opening for clubs to bid. A trophyless campaign, on top of an uneasy relationship with the Barcelona board, has left Messi questioning his own future. Not even Ronald Koeman’s appointment as manager has changed his mind.

Therefore, Inter are reportedly hopeful of luring him to Italy this time around with former director Massimiliano Mirabelli recently claiming that it’s now more than a dream.

When questioned on Inter’s chances of signing the six-time Ballon d’Or winner, Moratti told Diario AS: “I would imagine that Inter have already tried.

“I saw that Suning advert with Messi’s silhouette on the Duomo and that make me think that perhaps they have already attempted to get him. And if that wasn’t the case, I think they will try again very soon.”

Like PSG boss Thomas Tuchel and many others, however, Moratti doubts Messi truly wishes to leave Camp Nou.

He added: “It won’t be a simple operation economically, there’s no doubt about that. But the biggest obstacle would be convincing Messi to come.

“We need to know whether he really wants to leave Barca and I am not so sure he does.”