Inter’s owners Suning have already enquired about the feasibility of a deal for Barcelona captain Lionel Messi according to a report in today’s print edition of Italian daily newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport.
Inter chief executive Giuseppe ‘Beppe’ Marotta recently dismissed reports linking Inter with the Argentine national team player but this report states that the words do not necesarrily coincide with the reality.
Messi is currently under contract with Barcelona until the end of next season and he could leave for free which would mean Inter would not have to pay a transfer fee for him.
Juventus paid Real Madrid €100 million to sign Cristiano Ronaldo a few Summers ago and gave him a four year contract with an annual net salary of €31 million (€58 million gross). Ronaldo is a total cost of €87 million a year for Juventus between his salary and amortisation.
Messi currently earns more than the Portuguese superstar, with him earning €50 million net a year, excluding bonuses. However with thanks to the Italian tax laws, Inter would be able to make a significant saving and his wages would be €65 million gross a year.
The report goes on to add that whilst Ronaldo cost and continues to cost Juventus a lot, their revenues subsequently shot up and the same would happen to Inter if they signed Messi although it is currently impossible to quantify by how much.