Elvis Pressley
03-05-2002, 02:10 PM
Massimo Moratti has hinted that Inter will not enter an auction for Alessandro Nesta.
The defender could quit Lazio this summer after both he and his President Sergio Cragnotti admitted that his Olimpico spell may be coming to an end.
However, Inter chief Moratti has revealed that Nesta is not a necessity for his club despite expressing a real interest in him earlier this term.
"After seeing Cordoba and Materazzi in the derby I’m not thinking about any new defenders," said the oil baron.
"At this moment in time Nesta is not the player I have in my head. He’s a great footballer and remains one of the best defenders in the world but I don’t see him particularly close to Inter."
The international is reportedly of interest to a host of clubs including Real Madrid, Juventus and Milan. Should he be sold – which looks certain if Lazio don’t qualify for the Champions’ League – he will cost around £40m.
Moratti also praised his side for the 1-0 derby win over Milan on Sunday and looked forward to the Scudetto clash against Juve next Saturday.
"The win against Milan will see us be fully motivated for the Juventus game. We need to play with the same spirit as we did in the derby," he added.
"I thought Gresko and Materazzi were outstanding. As for Recoba I want to see him smile a bit more. I think his touches could prove decisive in the closing stages of the championship."
The defender could quit Lazio this summer after both he and his President Sergio Cragnotti admitted that his Olimpico spell may be coming to an end.
However, Inter chief Moratti has revealed that Nesta is not a necessity for his club despite expressing a real interest in him earlier this term.
"After seeing Cordoba and Materazzi in the derby I’m not thinking about any new defenders," said the oil baron.
"At this moment in time Nesta is not the player I have in my head. He’s a great footballer and remains one of the best defenders in the world but I don’t see him particularly close to Inter."
The international is reportedly of interest to a host of clubs including Real Madrid, Juventus and Milan. Should he be sold – which looks certain if Lazio don’t qualify for the Champions’ League – he will cost around £40m.
Moratti also praised his side for the 1-0 derby win over Milan on Sunday and looked forward to the Scudetto clash against Juve next Saturday.
"The win against Milan will see us be fully motivated for the Juventus game. We need to play with the same spirit as we did in the derby," he added.
"I thought Gresko and Materazzi were outstanding. As for Recoba I want to see him smile a bit more. I think his touches could prove decisive in the closing stages of the championship."