Inter Milan yesterday put out an official statement on its website denying a deal with Barcelona on the transfer of Inter Milan forward and Swedish international Zlatan Ibrahimovic (27):"During the transfer window, a headline in a newspaper is enough to transform groundless rumours into truth.
This is what has happened today after the article published in Barcelona newspaper El Mundo Deportivo about a presumed deal between FC Internazionale and the Catalan club. Besides being completely unfounded, the presumed deal seems remote from any logic, even to the eyes of neutral observers. The report is, therefore, groundless."
Asked about the rumours linking Ibrahimovic with an exit, Inter Milan president Massimo Moratti nevertheless told the club's official television channel that Inter could sell players this summer if a good bid comes in: "Soon, and with calm, we will reach a solution. We are not forced to sell or buy. We have a strong team, with players who have shown they care about Inter, like Ibrahimovic who in his three years with us has done his duty as a great professional.
So I think we can continue like this unless there are situations where we can close a good deal for the club. With the current economic climate it is obviously necessary to sell as well, but I am not pushing in one direction or another. We will see what happens in the summer transfer market, we will try to create a strong team next year too because our objectives won't change."
The player's agent Mino Raiola commented on the rumours in an interview with Spanish radio station Onda Cero: "There's no deal with any club that's not Inter and we're not allowed to talk with another club. It's normal that presidents of two clubs talk with eachother like happened last week.
Moratti also likes Messi and they're talking about him too. Ibrahimovic hasn't a preference for any team. The club that wants him should talk with Inter first and then they should offer us a sporting and an economic project. The two are important. His fee? I think Ibrahimovic is worth the same as Kaká and Cristiano Ronaldo together.”
Barcelona president Joan Laporta also denied that there’s a deal in an interview with Catalan radio station Catalunya Ràdio. Asked about his future, Ibrahimovic meanwhile unconfirmedly said in an interview with Swedish television channel TV4 that he knows more about his future: “I know where I will play next season, but I keep it for myself. And I’m feeling comfortable with that.”
Read more:
Deal with Inter on Ibrahimovic
Barcelona wants to renew Eto'o
Meeting with Inter on Ibrahimovic: A reconstruction
Ono Said,
^^Anonymous
There's a real fan. Let's buy big just because Real is doing so or otherwise we'll be humiliated.
Man, grow up. Who cares about the transfer window? The only place that will tell us who should be humiliated is the pitch. We already have a team that can beat Real with Kaka and CR.
Posted on 12 June 2009 at 05:13
Marws Said,
Ono, ofcourse we shouldn't have both Ibra and Eto'o in the same team. We sell eto'o, and get lots of money. We need another winger aswell. Like i said We always play good when Iniesta and Xavi play in the middle. If we only have Henry on the left wing then Iniesta have too play there sometimes. Buying Ribery can fix that problem. Henry would be the perfect sub since he can play on the wing and as a CF.
By the way, How can you prefer Benzema bfore Ibra?!
Posted on 12 June 2009 at 05:40
Ono Said,
First, no one will give you lot of money for a player whose contract expires next season.
We need a winger, but not a winger that is among top five player in the world. Then someone of the treble winning team would have to sit on the bench and I don't see any logic in that. And Bojan is a player that can play on the left wing. And now is the time when he has to play if we want him to evolve.
Benzema is 6 years younger then Ibrahimovic, he plays in a team in which he doesn't have as much quality around him as Ibra and he scores almost the same. Pshisichal attributes are the same for both guys, they are tall and strong, great headers.
Posted on 12 June 2009 at 06:11
Marws Said,
Okey forgett that "lots of money", but if we can include him in an offer with Ibra that would be perfect. Benzema is 6 years younger... Is that better? No it isn't. If we buy a young striker it's like telling Bojan that he is not needed. In my opinion Bojan has bigger potencial than Benzema.
It's true that Bojan can play on the wing, but I'd prefer him as a striker. He has scored more goals in the Barca academy than anyone else.
Posted on 12 June 2009 at 11:09
Ono Said,
Well, I don't want neither Benzema nor Ibrahimovic. But I prefer Benzema if we have to bring someone. Bojan will get the same message no matter who of the two would come because we surely won't give Eto'o and 40 million euros for a player that will make room for Bojan.
And bringing Benzema would be far better for Barca. Imagine this in a few years when Eto'o and Henry drop their level. Messi, Bojan and Benzema in the same team.
Posted on 12 June 2009 at 14:27
Marws Said,
Eh don't think you understood my last post. Buying a young striker will give the message of Bojan not being needed. Buying an old striker seends Bojan the message that he will be needed when this old striker (lets say Ibra) is too old.
Benzema will not go for free, and buying a young striker for the money Lyon wants for him the message is clear: Benzema has greater potencial than Bojan. Lets go for Benzema, and sell Bojan when he is ready/Bojan will always be a sub.
One young striker is enough.
Posted on 13 June 2009 at 02:49
Ono Said,
And one world class central attacker is enough. But you still want Ibrahimovic
Posted on 13 June 2009 at 05:36