Inter demand Zanetti sale
Internazionale sports director Gabriele Oriali has told Javier Zanetti's agent Jorge Oliva that the £13 million-rated Argentina midfielder, who is the club's longest-serving player, must be sold as the San Siro club prepare for next season
Internazionale sports director Gabriele Oriali has told Javier Zanetti's agent Jorge Oliva that the £13 million-rated Argentina midfielder, who is the club's longest-serving player, must be sold as the San Siro club prepare for next season
Barcelona and Real Madrid have already been linked with a move to buy the accomplished Argentina midfielder, though Oliva revealed last month that a move to the Bernabeu was unlikely because of Zanetti's high wage demands.
That leaves Barcelona in prime position to sign Zanetti as a replacement for the outgoing club captain Pep Guardiola.
But in a heated meeting on Wednesday night, which was also attended by Inter chief executive Rinaldo Ghelfi and Zanetti's representative Filippo Cavadini, Oriali declared that Inter were set to build a new team – and that Zanetti would be the first casualty.
Zanetti was cagy on Thursday morning: "In the next fifteen days I will know my future. We'll see what happens and then come to the necessary conclusions," he said.
"I haven't spoken to Hector Cuper yet. But I am sure to get to speak to him soon. He will know what plans he has for next year."
"I am proud that both Real Madrid and Barcelona want me in their squad. They are two of the biggest teams in the world. I'll wait 15 days to see how everything unfolds. I played with Roberto Carlos at Inter and I know him well."
Inter got off a terrible start this season – and their fortunes did not improve much throughout. Marcello Lippi was ousted after the club had been knocked out of the Champions' League in the qualifying stages by Swedish minnows Helsingborg; poor league form continued under new coach Marco Tardelli; and players attacked the club in the press after Ivan Zamorano left in acrimonious circumstances.
The Inter board, who are set to bring in Valencia coach Hector Cuper on a two-year deal, are keen to start from scratch.
Zanetti will not be the only-high profile departure, then – but his will be the most damaging to the San Siro faithful.
The 27-year-old Inter captain has mentioned on several occasions that Spain would be the only country he would leave Italy for.
He joined Inter from Argentine club Banfield in 1996.