Sunday 15 January, 2006
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Inter patron Massimo Moratti has named Michael Ballack as the ideal replacement for Juan Sebastian Veron.
The Argentine midfielder has already stated his desire to return to South America at the end of this season, leaving a gaping hole in the Nerazzurri squad.
“I hope that Veron will reconsider his decision and stay with us,” noted Moratti in the Gazzetta dello Sport.
“On a tactical level we have David Pizarro as his replacement, but we need a leader and I cannot help but point out Ballack in that category. He has temperament, charisma and class.”
The German international will be a free agent in the summer, as his contract with Bayern Munich is up, but Inter face competition from Juventus, Real Madrid, Barcelona and Manchester United.
“I don’t believe Ballack has agreed a deal with anyone yet,” added Moratti. “Many clubs are following him and we are among them. It would be an important investment worth £3m per season, but you pay for that kind of quality. As far as I know, Bayern aren’t eager to send him to Juve, so the decision is up to him.”
This is certainly not the first time that Inter have been linked with Ballack, but Veron’s departure could prompt Moratti to take that extra step.
“People keep telling me that he is very different from Veron, but apart from their positions on the pitch, Ballack is in the same class. They are both absolute world class players.” |