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Mascherano 'unlikely' to join Benitez at Inter

Javier Mascherano's future is in the balance, but it's unlikely he'll join Inter © Getty Images

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Inter Milan president Massimo Moratti has revealed they may look to sign Juventus midfielder Felipe Melo due to Liverpool's reluctance to sell Javier Mascherano.

Mascherano had looked set to reunite with Rafael Benitez at Inter after revealing he was learning Italian, but Brazil international Melo, who endured a difficult first season with Juve after leaving Fiorentina, has now emerged as an alternative.

"Mascherano is a strong player, but it is unlikely that he will arrive," Moratti said. "He simply costs too much and it is not certain that Liverpool will sell. Melo is an intriguing idea and one that we are working on."

El Mundo Deportivo claims Barcelona, who attempted to sign Mascherano last summer, could revive their interest, with the player reported to remain keen on a move to Camp Nou.

Meanwhile, Moratti has insisted there is no chance Mario Balotelli or Diego Milito will leave. Balotelli had a difficult relationship with Jose Mourinho and became unpopular with supporters, while it was said Mourinho wanted to take Milito to Real Madrid. "Balotelli is our future and Milito won't move," Moratti said.

Milito has also played down talk of a move. "I don't want to talk about my future right now, but I will say that I am very happy to be playing for Inter," he said.

Mourinho is thought to be more interested in signing Brazil right back Maicon, though, and Moratti has suggested he may have to be replaced.

"We'll have to wait and see about him," he said. "We want to start the new season again as we ended the last one. We want to win everything possible next term. I'm convinced that we can win the Scudetto for the next two years, but in order to stay in contention in the Champions League then we'll need a real top signing."

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