Category: News

The Algeria international has hailed the experienced attacker’s down-to-earth nature and is pleased with his start to life at the Giuseppe Meazza side

Inter forward Ishak Belfodil has voiced his admiration for Diego Milito and has praised his team-mate’s humble attitude.

Milito played a pivotal role in the Nerazzurri‘s treble triumph of 2009-10, scoring twice in the Champions League final against Bayern Munich after hitting the winner in the Coppa Italia against Roma.

Belfodil joined Inter from Parma in the summer transfer window and the 21-year-old feels honoured to have the opportunity to train and play alongside the experienced Argentine.

“Now I see him every day, he’s a very nice, normal guy and he doesn’t behave like he’s a legend – which he is,” Belfodil told InterNOS.

“Perhaps when I leave or when he does I’ll say to myself, ‘Blimey, you played with Diego Milito!’.”

The Algeria international went on to stress his gratitude for the way his team-mates have helped to settle since his reported €7.5 million move to Giuseppe Meazza.

“I like it at Inter and it’s been like that since the start. I’ve not had any problems and what’s helped has been the fact my Italian’s better than it was in previous years. The more experienced players have also helped me to settle quickly, like [Esteban] Cambiasso and it all went better once my friend Taider joined,” he continued.

“Then there was also [Gaby] Mudingayi, who speaks French, and [Ibrahima] Mbaye, who then went to Livorno. But all the other guys, the Argentinians etc. have all helped me a lot.”

Belfodil has made three official appearances for Inter so far.

A host of big-name stars could leave their clubs for nothing come the end of the season, so Goal gives you the full list of players who can talk to other clubs from January 1

The future of Andrea Pirlo has been a hot topic in Italy of late, with the Azzurri midfielder’s contract at Juventus set to be run down to its final six months before the club decide whether to negotiate a new deal.

Whereas in the past that might not have made much of a difference to a player’s mindset, under modern regulations the former AC Milan star will be allowed to agree a contract with a new club in January should he so wish, leaving Juve without a say in matters.

And Pirlo isn’t the only one. Other big names who could sign pre-contract agreements ahead of a free summer move include Ignazio Abate, Diego Milito, Miroslav Klose and David Pizarro.

Below, Goal gives you a club-by-club guide on all of the Serie A players who could become free agents come June 30, leaving them free to speak to new clubs in January.

The Italian midfielder’s agent has poured cold water on the speculation that his client may be part of a new-look Nerazzurri

Inter’s majority shareholder Erick Thohir has “no chance” of kick-starting his reign at San Siro by signing Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Marco Verratti, according to the player’s agent.

The Indonesian businessman completed a 70 per cent take-over of the club on Tuesday, prompting speculation over who the Nerazzurri would target to usher in the new era.

However, Donato Di Campli has moved to refute suggestions that his client could be sold by les Parisiens but said that a Serie A return would happen someday.

“There is no chance of a move,” Verratti’s representative told FC Inter News.

“That is because the player is not on the transfer market and hasn’t been since he arrived at PSG. They won’t sell him.

“It is clear that the player would like to return to Italy one day, but not now.

“I have never received a call from Inter. If they want him then they have to contact PSG and not me.”

The 20-year-old, whose current deal at Parc de Princes expires in 2018, joined the reigning French champions from Pescara for a fee in the region of €12 million last summer.

The former Nerazzurri supremo has warned the fans that this week’s takeover does not necessarily mean they will now start splashing the cash

Inter president Massimo Moratti has moved to downplay expectations following the arrival of Erick Thohir as the club’s new owner.

The Giuseppe Meazza side had been struggling financially in recent years, partially due to the introduction of Financial Fair Play, but the arrival of the Indonesian businessman has sparked hopes that the Nerazzurri will be a force to be reckoned with again in the transfer market.

However, Moratti does not expect the club’s new owner to make any high-profile signings in the near future.

“The kind of transfer that really speaks to the supporters is, for example, Real Madrid’s signing of Bale, but Inter fans should not expect things like that,” Moratti told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

“I get the impression that Thohir has different plans with Inter. Obviously, the competition with rival teams might influence the club’s policy. They have the potential to do great things.”

Moratti lured high-profile players such as Ronaldo, Wesley Sneijder, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Samuel Eto’o to Inter during his time in charge of the Nerazzurri.

The Indonesian businessman has purchased 70 per cent of the club’s shares after talks with president Massimo Moratti were finally wrapped up

Erick Thohir has completed his takeover of Inter, president Massimo Moratti has confirmed.

Moratti and the Indonesian businessman had been in talks for a number of months, with negotiations thought to have been at a standstill as Moratti refused to allow the Indonesian businessman to purchase a 100 per cent stake in the club.

However, a deal has finally been agreed which will see Thohir own 70 per cent of the club’s shares, and Moratti admitted he was relieved to be leaving the club “in good hands.”

“The documents have been signed,” Moratti told reporters after putting pen to paper on the agreement.

“I find it hard to find the right words to describe how I feel. I just pretend that everything is still normal. Things went fast all of a sudden, but Inter are in good hands.

“Things will possibly change over time, but the important thing is that respect is the base of everything.”

Moratti, who took over at Inter in 1995, also suggested he could yet stay on as Nerazzurri president, although no decision over the post has yet been made.

“Will I continue as president? We’ll see what happens…”

Inter won five Serie A titles, four Coppa Italia trophies and one Champions League under Moratti.