Inter chief bidding to keep Mourinho
JOSE MOURINHO may seem bound for Real Madrid, but Inter Milan president Massimo Moratti insists he has not yet given up hope of persuading his manager to stay.
Even before Mourinho guided Inter to Champions League glory against Bayern Munich on Saturday evening in the Spanish capital, talk was rife of the Portuguese returning to Madrid imminently. The former Chelsea boss’s post-match comments, that Real would “probably” be his next home, only gave credence to suggestions he has already verbally agreed a world record £40m, four-year deal.
Football’s worst-kept secret is expected to be confirmed this week, but that has not stopped Moratti planning a last-ditch attempt at changing the mind of the only manager to win the treble in Italy.
“We will speak soon,” said Moratti. “Mourinho returned with the team to Milan. I don’t think he has signed for another club because he is a serious person. Perhaps he has spoken to a team but I hope there is still a margin to convince him to change his mind. I am nevertheless grateful for Mourinho because he has allowed us to win so much.”
Moratti’s plea looks set to fall on deaf ears, however, with Mourinho said to have already drawn up plans to take Brazil full-back Maicon with him to the Santiago Bernabeu.
Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard, a player Mourinho tried to sign at Chelsea, is also understood to be ready to join Real.
SPECIAL BUYS | REAL TARGETS
Maicon Brazil star set to disappoint Man City by opting to join Mourinho in Spain
Steven Gerrard Hotly-tipped to quit Premier League for Madrid after more than a decade at Liverpool
Diego Milito Veteran striker blossomed under Mourinho and is coy on his future