Former Inter assistant manager Jose Morais has shared his belief that it is possible for Inter to sign Barcelona’s Lionel Messi thanks to the fact Inter have Javier Zanetti at the club.

In the past few weeks and months reports have suggested that relations between Messi and Barcelona have broken down and this has led to him being linked with several clubs, including Inter.

“You know what, I think it’s possible. You know the reason why? Because they have Zanetti. Zanetti is like a tractor factor for Argentinian players,” Morais, who served as assistant to Jose Mourinho in Inter’s historic treble winning season, told Yahoo! Sport.

“I think he is capable of attracting a player like Messi if he thinks about a different challenge. I think for an Argentinian player, it’s almost to have a feeling like I’m going home, I’m going to Inter.

“My feeling is that Inter are welcoming in a special way and for Argentinian players, probably because of the presence of Zanetti. All of the Argentinians joining Inter are extraordinary players, they brought success to the club. I believe Messi can be one of these players.”

Morais, who is current in charge of South Korean K League side Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, then went on to discuss the recent speculation relating to Inter striker Lautaro Martinez’s future.

The 22-year-old Argentine national team forward has been heavily linked with a move to Barcelona with reports stating that the Blaugrana would like to do a player(s) plus cash deal for him.

“I think as a professional if you want to have a career, Inter are definitely a fantastic club to stay and make a career,” he continued.

“I don’t know what’s going on in the head of a player, if a club like Madrid or Barca, with the impact they have, if it is possible to buy a player from Inter – it’s possible. I don’t know the conditions of the contract, but it can make the deal possible or not possible.

“If we speak about Neymar, he wants to leave from Paris Saint-Germain but the price is just too high for clubs to pay. It is not easy to leave.

“If the Coronavirus situation will help the player, it’s about the contract. I believe the situation in Spain is not too different from Italy at the moment.

“I don’t think this will be a factor for the player to say I will leave Italy to go to Spain. It will be about the vision of his future and goals he has in his career. I hope for Inter they will keep Lautaro Martinez because he makes a difference. You need these kinds of players to win the league.”

Morais, who has also had spells in charge of Antalyaspor, Barnsley and AEK Athens, went on to share his thoughts about what Inter are like today.

“I believe in the club, in the people who are working there. In Italy, I’m an Interista. As an Interista, there is only one way to think – it’s to believe that the club can, in any circumstance, be a competitor for the title.

“With the investment this season, it’s possible. It’s important to have stability, in terms of organisation, to succeed in the next years.

“Conte is a good coach. He has been winning titles. He did what he did with Juventus and Chelsea, and hopefully for Inter, he will also make them champions. This is my wish because I want the best for Inter in Italy.”