Former Inter president and owner Massimo Moratti has addressed the ongoing rumours linking Inter striker Lautaro Martinez with a move to Inter.

“It is Inter’s intention to retain Lautaro. He is a player with great potential, but everything will obviously depend on the player’s will and Lautaro is very comfortable at Inter,” he began an interview with Spanish radio station Cadena Ser Catalunya yesterday afternoon.

“In the end, however, it also depends on the offer Barcelona make. Of course, being able to play alongside Leo Messi is always a motivation for any ambitious player.”

He was then asked who he would accept in a potential player plus cash deal for the highly rated 22-year-old, who has a contract with Inter through to the end of the 2022/23 season: “There is a certain player, Messi, he is not too bad.”

Moratti then spoke on his failed attempt to bring Messi to Inter whilst he was in charge of the Nerazzurri.

“He has always been closely linked to Barcelona, he is a dream signing for many, but signing him is an impossible dream. I was unable to do it when I was in charge at Inter and I still don’t know if I could do it today.”

He proceeded to discuss Barcelona and Chilean national team midfielder Arturo Vidal, who continues to be linked with a potential move to Inter due to Inter manager Antonio Conte’s great admiration for him.

“He has a great character and could be a good player for any team.”

Moratti purchased a controlling stake in Inter back in 1995 from Ernesto Pellegrini and was Inter’s majority shareholder up until 2013 when Indonesian tycoon Erick Thohir bought a controlling stake. Moratti continued to have a small stake in the club up until 2016, when Suning purchased his remaining shares and Thohir’s.