Inter must sell to buy

Moratti: Not revealing targets

Inter Milan president Massimo Moratti has confirmed that the reigning European champions would need to sell players in order to conduct business in the transfer market.

The club have recently been linked with renewed interest in Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi following the tongue-in-cheek comments of Moratti and the slightly more serious remarks of chief executive Ernesto Paolillo.

It was also revealed by Paolillo earlier in October that Rafa Benitez's Inter plan to sign two players in the winter transfer market, but that they would also need to allow two of their current squad members to leave.

And Moratti has reiterated that the Serie A title holders will need to raise funds through sales if they are to be able to make offers to other clubs.

He told Italian media with regards to the transfer market: "I don't know if we will do something. We are looking around.

"But to buy we must sell. We will see if we are able to do both of these things."

Moratti has also been unable to resist another comment regarding Messi, who said on Tuesday that he was happy at Barcelona but that the future was never certain.

"Everything will be a joke, maybe," said Moratti. "Anyway, we have time. Messi said never say never and he speaks the truth."