Brazilian Leonardo is expected to accept an offer to become PSG's new sporting director and Inter have already started the process of finding a replacement.

Reports in Italy suggested they had targeted Villas-Boas, dubbed the new Jose Mourinho, but Inter sporting director Marco Branca has ruled out a move on financial grounds.

"I feel I should make this clear," explained Branca to ANSA, "because everything started with comments in the media.

"However, everyone in the world of football is aware of the ties Villas-Boas has with Porto and the inclusion in his contract, amongst other things, of a very high release clause, which excludes the possibility of him taking over as coach of Inter."

Porto revealed last month Villas-Boas had a 15 million euro release clause, leaving Inter to focus their search elsewhere.

Former Argentina coach Marcelo Bielsa has already ruled himself out, as has Fiorentina boss Sinisa Mihajlovic.