Shake on it: New Inter Milan boss Rafa Benitez
wants to revive his former Liverpool ties with Dutch forward Dirk
Kuyt
Inter Milan president Massimo Moratti has paved the way
to move for
Liverpool's Dirk Kuyt after
admitting that Mario Balotelli's exit is imminent.
Italy Under 21 striker Balotelli is expected to clinch a move to
Manchester City this week for an initial £24million,
with Moratti already talking about the striker in the past
tense.
Asked about the departure of Balotelli, the San Siro chief said:
'Is it a defeat for Inter? Maybe so, we won't know until later.
'Everyone is right about Balotelli: he is a talent, who, in my
opinion, has yet to express himself 100 per cent. But this talent,
in this moment, doesn't seem so indispensable.
'We have important offers and objectives of an economic
character, so you make a sacrifice with the player who everyone
wants, not with the one who you try to sell and no one wants.
'Balotelli remains a great talent, but for us it's almost an
obligation to exit in this way. I definitely had a good
relationship with him, then again I don't know what he'll say about
that.'
City slicker: Balotelli's Eastlands arrival is
'imminent'
Balotelli's imminent arrival has alerted suitors about
Emmanuel Adebayor's potential availability, but the Togo striker is
looking forward to playing alongside City's latest big-money
signing.
'I have had the chance to play alongside a lot of great strikers
so whoever comes in they are welcome,' said Adebayor.
'We will do everything to help the person adapt to English
football. 'Balotelli is originally from Ghana and he plays for
Italy. I am an African man as well so for me it is going to be a
pleasure meeting him.
'If he is supposed to sign for the club, fine. At the end of the
day what is important is that we have to bring in players that can
make us win things.'
Rafa Benitez wants to raid his old club Liverpool for Kuyt
despite the signing being met with a lukewarm response in
Milan.
However, Moratti is ready to back the man who stepped in when
Jose Mourinho defected for the Real Madrid hot seat.
'We shouldn’t necessarily be always looking for star players,
but functional ones,' said Moratti.
''There is a different coach, maybe slightly different from last
year, but first and foremost he wants to keep the good players.
Then we will start thinking about the team's true needs.'
Kop out: Argentina midfielder Javier Mascherano has
voiced his desire to quit Liverpool
Kuyt's ability to play either up front or on the wings
attracts Benitez, but the Spaniard agreed not buy players from
Liverpool for three months after leaving Anfield.
An exception will be made for Argentina captain Javier
Mascherano, who desperately wants to quit Merseyside for Inter, but
Roy Hodgson may be more reluctant to part with his 30-year-old
Holland international.
