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Barcelona on alert with Inter Milan tipped for Lionel Messi transfer after TV advert clue
Inter Milan are interested in signing Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi.
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Inter Milan may have already attempted to sign Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi. That's the opinion of the Italian club's former president Massimo Moratti, who believes another bid could be in the pipeline.
Inter Milan and Manchester City have been tipped as Messi's most likely destinations should he choose to leave Barcelona.
The Argentine magician is thought be be seriously considering his future after 16 trophy-laden seasons at the Nou Camp.
The Catalan giants finished the season without any silverware - prompting the dismissals of manager Quique Setien and sporting director Eric Abidal.
And Inter's owners, the Suning group, appear to have jumped on the uncertainty surrounding Messi's future in a recent television advert.
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The commercial featured a silhouette of Messi projected onto Milan's Duomo cathedral - leading to speculation they are desperate to bring the 33-year-old to the San Siro.
"It's not a simple operation economically, that's clear. But the biggest obstacle is Lionel Messi's intentions," Moratti told AS.
"You have to understand if he really wants to leave Barca. I'm not clear on that.
"I imagine Inter have already tried [to sign him]. I've seen the Suning advert with the Argentine's silhouette on the Duomo and this makes me think an initiative has already been taken.
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"If not, I think they will do so soon."
Moratti continued to discuss Barcelona's primary transfer target Lautaro Martinez and believes the forward will get even better next season.
"The Argentine has incredible potential. He's a talent. He's showing really good things now but he's going to explode even more," said Moratti.