Inter targets backups if Lampard bid fails
Reuters - Thursday 17 July 2008, 14:47
MILAN - Inter Milan have looked at
alternative buys in case they fail to strike a deal to bring
Frank Lampard to Italy, president Massimo Moratti said on
Thursday.
The Italian champions, managed by Lampard's former Chelsea
boss Jose Mourinho, have made a bid for the England midfielder
but the London club have said they are not willing to negotiate.
"Yes, definitely," Moratti told the club's television
channel when asked if there were alternatives to Lampard.
"Lampard is the priority but naturally in cases like this I
have been looking around for some time. If it is not possible to
take Lampard, we would take a player with the most similar
characteristics."
Inter have expressed an interest in Porto winger Ricardo
Quaresma but Mourinho said on Wednesday a central midfielder was
a necessity.
Moratti confirmed media reports that Lampard is unsure over
whether to ask for a transfer or stay put with just a year left
on his contract. Talks with Chelsea over a renewal are
deadlocked.
"Lampard is a very serious lad and certainly he is torn
between having the pleasure of doing something new or having a
sense of duty towards his current club," Moratti said.
"In the end it is up to him to find a solution."
Portuguese Mourinho, who left Chelsea last September and was
appointed Inter coach last month, took his first day of training
on Thursday having previously warned his squad about tardiness.
"I was almost scared to arrive late," club owner Moratti
quipped.
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