He's not joking, but we're still laughing.
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=832627&sec=transfers&cc=4716
Inter Milan president Massimo Moratti claims he is no longer joking about the prospect of signing Lionel Messi from Barcelona.
The ambitious transfer proposal has been in the headlines ever since Moratti jested with an Italian newspaper that his club's next signing would be the FIFA World Player of the Year. However, the Inter chief now seems to be giving it some serious thought.
"So many people are asking me to buy a world class, quality player. Messi is the strongest of them all," Moratti told La Gazzetta dello Sport. "When I spoke about it the other day I was only joking, but now we will see.
"I am starting to really ask myself that question: to buy him or not?"
Messi is the jewel in the crown at Barcelona and the club are highly unlikely to let him leave. The Argentina international has a lucrative contract that runs until 2016, with a buyout clause of €250 million.
Inter coach Rafael Benitez would obviously be delighted if his boss was able to secure the services of Barca's 23-year-old forward.
"If the president wants to do something about Messi, then I will not oppose him," Benitez told the press. "Messi is a great player and I will not say no."
Inter have also been linked with a swoop for Real Madrid's Brazilian playmaker Kaka, but Benitez claims he already has better players than the former AC Milan star.
"As for Kaka, we already have Wesley Sneijder and Coutinho in that position," Benitez said. "But, if they want Messi then I will say yes, it's fine for me. I will talk with them to discuss the market together."
