Inter Milan president Massimo Moratti has slapped a staggering 90million euro price tag on coveted Sweden striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Ibrahimovic, who has only one year left on his contract at Inter, has been strongly linked with a move away from the San Siro, with Barcelona, Chelsea and Real Madrid among the clubs reportedly keen to acquire the 27-year-old's services this summer.
Based on the current transfer market figures, Moratti values Ibrahimovic higher than French midfielder Franck Ribery, who is a target of Real Madrid.
"If it is true that Bayern Munich have placed a 70million euros tag on Ribery, then I will need to ask a minimum of 90million euros (for Ibrahimovic)," Moratti told Gazzetta dello Sport.
Moratti held meetings last week with his Barcelona counterpart Joan Laporta but no agreement was reached between both parties.
"If we are talking about Barcelona I think (Barcelona president) Laporta is far away from the mega-investment policy that Real Madrid have made so far," he said.
Moratti insists that Inter have not received any official offers for Ibrahimovic.
"No offer has been made for Ibrahimovic," he said. "Perhaps it will arrive tomorrow or it will come from another place (not Barcelona), but as of today, there isn't one."
Inter are nevertheless hopeful Ibrahimovic, who finished as Serie A's top scorer this season, will remain at the San Siro even as his contract nears an end.
"I reiterate that I would gladly keep Ibrahimovic," said Moratti. "Ibrahimovic is at Inter and Ibrahimovic is the best, in my opinion."
Inter are also confident Maicon will stay at the San Siro despite reported interest from some of Europe's biggest clubs.
The 28-year-old Brazil wing-back has been linked with Real Madrid and Chelsea but Moratti believes it is just paper talk.
"I believe Maicon will remain at Inter," he said. "The player has not made any demands to us.
"Some of the comments that have come out have come directly from agents."
Maicon joined Inter in 2006 and was sensational for the Italian champions last season, scoring four goals in 27 league starts.
The South American star is under contract with the Nerazzurri through June 2013.
Based on the current transfer market figures, Moratti values Ibrahimovic higher than French midfielder Franck Ribery, who is a target of Real Madrid.
"If it is true that Bayern Munich have placed a 70million euros tag on Ribery, then I will need to ask a minimum of 90million euros (for Ibrahimovic)," Moratti told Gazzetta dello Sport.
Moratti held meetings last week with his Barcelona counterpart Joan Laporta but no agreement was reached between both parties.
"If we are talking about Barcelona I think (Barcelona president) Laporta is far away from the mega-investment policy that Real Madrid have made so far," he said.
Moratti insists that Inter have not received any official offers for Ibrahimovic.
"No offer has been made for Ibrahimovic," he said. "Perhaps it will arrive tomorrow or it will come from another place (not Barcelona), but as of today, there isn't one."
Inter are nevertheless hopeful Ibrahimovic, who finished as Serie A's top scorer this season, will remain at the San Siro even as his contract nears an end.
"I reiterate that I would gladly keep Ibrahimovic," said Moratti. "Ibrahimovic is at Inter and Ibrahimovic is the best, in my opinion."
Inter are also confident Maicon will stay at the San Siro despite reported interest from some of Europe's biggest clubs.
The 28-year-old Brazil wing-back has been linked with Real Madrid and Chelsea but Moratti believes it is just paper talk.
"I believe Maicon will remain at Inter," he said. "The player has not made any demands to us.
"Some of the comments that have come out have come directly from agents."
Maicon joined Inter in 2006 and was sensational for the Italian champions last season, scoring four goals in 27 league starts.
The South American star is under contract with the Nerazzurri through June 2013.
Copyright (c) Press Association
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