Former Inter owner and president Massimo Moratti was linked with a surprise return to the club today by a leading Italian journalist.

Moratti spent 16 years at Inter in two spells during the 1990s and 2000s before leaving in 2013 when he sold the club to Indonesian businessman Erick Thohir.

According to La Repubblica reporter Franco Vanni, however, he could return as part of a VIP supporters group which is looking into buying minority shares at the club.

“There is a consortium of white knights with a Nerazzurri heart, following an idea proposed by TV presenter Enrico Mentana, which was already in the works when Thohir was the outgoing president and Suning were purchasing Inter,” Vanni explained in an interview with Italian broadcaster Sky Sport Italia.

“The group is being led by Italy’s former caretaker Prime Minister Carlo Cottarelli, then there is politician Roberto Zaccaria, the architect Boemi and then yesterday I heard about Moratti as well.

“They would like to enter as minority shareholders at a time when it seems that Inter are moving towards being bought by a private equity fund.”

La Repubblica‘s report on the story suggests there are up to 15 famous Inter fans involved in the group, whose objective would be to ensure the club were represented once again, if only in part, by supporters.

Moratti publicly denied speculation he could return to Inter in an interview with Tuttosport on Tuesday.

As far as Suning’s negotiations with BC Partners are concerned, Vanni added: “The talks are ongoing and I believe that in a few months Inter could have new owners.”