Inter chief executive Giuseppe ‘Beppe’ Marotta has downplayed media speculation linking Inter with a move for Lionel Messi after a PPTV Sports advert included a projection of the silhouette of the Barcelona captain on the famous Duomo cathedral in Milan.
“This is a situation from the past, I don’t know if you all remember” he explained in an interview with Italian broadcaster Sky Sport Italia, a short time before kick-off at San Siro.
“Earthquake on social media? We are certainly talking about an icon, a great player and he’s a desire that everyone has. It’s certainly just a game.
“No Italian club can complete a transfer operation like that without the owners making a big contribution, so with Financial Fair Play regulations as they are, we have to be sustainable.”
Marotta then spoke on what it would mean to achieve a second placed finish in Serie A this season.
“Our place in the league confirms the excellent work mainly of Conte, the players and the club. We have raised the quality level of the team and we are very satisfied. There is some regret but you have to do a 360 degree analysis and look to the future with great optimism.”
The former Juventus executive, who is coming to the end of his first full season in charge of the club, proceeded to speak on on loan Alexis Sanchez’s future with the club.
“It is not easy because he has a big contract for another two years. In addition to the negotiations with the club, that must also be evaluated. He is a great player and we would be happy to have him with us in the future.”
Marotta then went on to discuss ongoing media speculation linking Inter to Brescia’s Sandro Tonali, who Inter are reportedly on the verge of completing a deal for.
“I have a good relationship with Cellino, but we have never stopped to talk about this boy who deserves particular attention because he is a real talented player.
“It could happen that big clubs are interested in him and I am not hiding that also we are interested, but we haven’t started negotiations. We are interested but to go from there to saying that we have begun negotiations is another thing.
In conclusion Marotta spoke on Italian football as a whole and discussed what big name players do for Italian football.
“Our football needs to be relaunched, so much that the debate is focused on the strategy of how to sell the product. Champions certainly increase the value of the Italian brand and football.”
Inter have slipped into third place for this match following Atalanta’s 2-1 win over Parma but can overtake the Bergamo based club in the standings with a victory against the Partenopei.