After Inter’s offer for Steven Gerrard was rejected, they are thought to be lining up a Samuel Eto’o exchange with Zlatan Ibrahimovic instead.
President Massimo Moratti has stated on several occasions he will sign a world class player as a ‘gift’ for their Centenary celebrations and to truly challenge for the Champions League next season.
The first target is Gerrard, but this week Liverpool turned down a £25m bid, according to The Sun.
“We need to make a big signing for next season and Gerrard was at the centre of our thoughts,” an Inter official was quoted as saying.
“Liverpool gave us the most emphatic response that he was not for sale. We have drawn up a list of alternatives. But if Liverpool decide to sell, Gerrard is our top priority.”
Instead, Spanish newspaper Marca claim this morning that the Nerazzurri are preparing an exchange deal for Barcelona striker Eto’o.
The Cameroon international is valued at £31m and has already been the subject of an approach from Milan.
However, Inter could get the upper hand if they included Ibrahimovic as part of the transfer package.
Ibra has a fractious rapport with Coach Roberto Mancini and some of his teammates, while the extended stay in Sweden for treatment to a recurring knee injury has raised doubts over his future.
Last week assistant manager Sinisa Mihajlovic admitted he could see an Inter side without Ibrahimovic. “If he weren’t there, then somebody else would be.”
Up until now Real Madrid were the main club interested in snapping up the Swede, but Barca would certainly appreciate his arrival.
