Inter Milan president Moratti: Mancini has already signed deal!

Inter Milan president Massimo Moratti has revealed coach Roberto Mancini has already penned is new contract extension.

"The contract renewal with Mancini has already happened a while back," he smiled. "That allowed us to be relaxed. It's a four years plus one deal."

That means the former Lazio and Fiorentina boss is tied to Inter until 2011 with an option to extend it for another year.

"I hope that it can last even longer and am optimistic on this issue. I don't think we're missing anything required to start a real era for the club. The rapport between the Coach, players and club is good and we are on the right road."

Inter Milan stars celebrate Scudetto success:

Dejan Stankovic paid tribute to the Inter Milan fans after they celebrated winning this season's Scudetto yesterday against Siena.

"I want to thank all the fans who believed along with us that this could come true," smiled the Inter midfielder.

"Now I expect to see a great party at the Stadio Meazza against Empoli. We can all come together and celebrate this Scudetto."

The plan for the festivities had originally been on Wednesday, but the 3-1 defeat to Roma put a spanner in the works.

"I suffered a great deal with that result. Perhaps you could tell that my head was not in it, as I wanted to win so much that it clouded my judgment," confessed the former Lazio star.

"We were much more relaxed today and were able to perform up to our standards. This Scudetto is thoroughly deserved and we proved our strength all year through."

Inter captain Javier Zanetti also remarked: "I have waited so long for this moment. The whole Inter family deserved to feel this joy.

"We were charged up, as after the loss to Roma midweek we really felt the need to prove a point in this game. We deserve this victory and the Scudetto."

Zanetti was President Massimo Moratti's first signing when the oil baron took charge in 1995 and stayed on through thick and thin.

"Everyone has earned this joy, from Moratti who made so many sacrifices to our many fans who can finally celebrate. We are deservedly the champions of Italy and will enjoy this moment to the full."

As a legend of the club, El Tractor dedicated the triumph to some other figures in Inter history who have died in recent years.

"I dedicate this to everyone who loves Inter and to those who are no longer with us, like Giacinto Facchetti, Peppino Prisco and the great Benito Lorenzi.

"On a personal note, I cannot help but thank my wife and my daughter."

Roma to swoop for Inter Milan's Recoba:

Roma are weighing up a move for Inter Milan attacker Alvaro Recoba.

The Uruguay international is ready to quit Inter at the end of this season and is likely to be granted a free transfer by president Massimo Moratti.

Roma coach Luciano Spalletti rates Recoba highly and is keen to bring him to the capital in the summer.

Moratti to splash £35M on champions Inter Milan:

Inter Milan president Massimo Moratti won't let his club stand still after securing the Scudetto this week.

Corriere della Sera says Moratti has put aside £35 million for the summer market to make three major signings.

Inter have already spoken with Real's Italian director Franco Baldini about a price for midfielder Mahamadou Diarra, while Porto's Brazilian defender Pepe is also top of their shopping list.

Meanwhile, despite the success of Zlatan Irbahimovic, Moratti will spend big to land Fiorentina centre-forward Luca Toni ahead of Juventus. The World Cup winner could arrive as a replacement for Adriano.

Along with the big three, Inter remain interested in David Suazo (Cagliari), Gigi Buffon (Juventus), Cristian Chivu (Roma), Dario Dainelli (Fiorentina) and Alexandre Pato (Internacional de Porto Alegre).

Inter Milan president Moratti: We want Deco:

Inter Milan president Massimo Moratti admits he's interested in Barcelona midfield schemer Deco.

"Deco? He is an interesting player and we would need a man like him. If he were less expensive it would be better for us we will see what happens," said Moratti.

Inter Milan coach Mancini checks on Chelsea's Lampard:

Inter Milan coach Roberto Mancini attended last night's Champions League semi between Chelsea and Liverpool at Stamford Bridge.

Tuttosport says Mancini traveled to London to run his eye over Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard, who is wanted by Inter president Massimo Moratti.

Moratti would love to pair Lampard in midfield alongside former Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira and sent Mancini last night to take a close look at the England international.

Lens In Focus As Internazionale Eye Keita:

Italian champions Internazionale are tipped to be preparing a bid that will bring a new attacking midfielder to reinforce Mancini’s squad for an attempt to hoist a third consecutive Scudetto – with no questions asked – as well as jockey for a return to European glory…

One of the Nerazzurri targets is Lens’ 22 year-old midfielder Sidi Yaya Keita, according to embryonic reports in L’Equipe (The Team) and But (Goal).

The Malian attacking midfielder has impressed this season with mature and incisive performances in Ligue 1 and the Champions League.

He’s been at the Stade Felix-Bollaert since last year, signing on after impressing at Strasbourg, and is under contract until 2008, and is realistic about Lens being a wonderful place, but a trampoline to higher things.

“My dream is to help Lens into next season’s Champions League, but then I’m willing to talk”, explained the player who’s conscious that he may be on the verge of a move into the big time with offers from two unnamed EPL clubs also on hold.

President Gervais Martel won’t want to let go of the player as he knows that his value is rising like champagne foam, but necessity may be the mother of invention.  Les Sang et Or are facing a rough time financially and the sale would mean a life-giving money transfusion for the club coffers.

Barcelona's Deco coy over Inter Milan interest:

Barcelona midfielder Deco was coy yesterday when asked about interest from Inter Milan.

Luis Figo has recommended his Portugal teammate to Inter president Massimo Moratti and the Barca star told Gazzetta dello Sport: "I thank Figo for indicating me as his heir at Inter.

"However I don't see any reasons to change outfit now. In any case, in football things can change.

"Have I been contacted by Inter? My agent takes care of these things. Nonetheless, even if it had happened, I couldn't say so. Now is not the time to talk about these things. We have a Liga title to win."

Inter Milan president Moratti to try again for Toni:

Inter Milan president Massimo Moratti admits they're reigniting their interest in Fiorentina striker Luca Toni.

With reports swirling that a deal has been struck between Fiorentina and Bayern Munich over the Italy international, Moratti said last night: "For a period of time Toni was in our thoughts, but then we have taken (Zlatan) Ibrahimovic.

"This season Toni is again someone we're thinking about, but at the moment we do have a fluid attacking situation - I hope that Crespo remains with us."

In contrast, AC Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani said: "Toni is indeed a great player, but we won't be signing him. Indeed, I don't believe he will ever play for Milan."

Pirelli supremo wants Figo to stick with Inter Milan:

The president of Pirelli, Marco Tronchetti Provera, admits he doesn't want to see Luis Figo leave Inter Milan.

After confirming their sponsorship for next season, Provera added: "I want to keep Figo. He appeals a lot to me and I will do everything I can to convince him to stay."

Inter Milan president Moratti targets Lucarelli:

Inter Milan president Massimo Moratti is chasing unsettled Livorno centre-forward Cristiano Lucarelli.

Lucarelli is weighing up his future at Livorno after fans turned on him recently. Moratti rates the big striker highly and reportedly has told friends: "I want the 'livornese'. He's a big-time player."

Sven Goran Eriksson's agent has moved swiftly to deny reports the former England coach has snubbed an offer from Serie A giants Internazionale:

Reports over the weekend claim Eriksson had been lined up to replace the recently crowned champions' coach Roberto Mancini, only to have then rejected the overtures of the Nerazzurri.

Eriksson's agent, Lars Stenmarker, has rubbished the speculation, however, insisting the reports only came about because Eriksson is a close friend of both Mancini, whom the Swede coached at Sampdoria and Lazio, and Inter's owner Massimo Moratti.

"Sven hasn't mentioned any club names at all." Lars Stenmarker told Sportbladet.

"It is ridiculous and sad that it has been written that he has received an offer from Inter.

"It's because he is a close friend with both coach Roberto Mancini and owner Massimo Moratti."

Inter Milan target cream of Portuguese talent:

Inter Milan held talks with super agent Jorge Mendes yesterday.

Mendes met with Inter director Marco Branca in Milan to discuss primarily Deco's situation at Barcelona.

However, Mendes' other clients, Porto winger Ricardo Quaresma and defender Pepe, plus Sporting Lisbon pair Nani and Jose Moutinho were also put forward during the meeting.

Inter Milan keen on Barcelona outcast Thiago Motta:

Inter Milan are interested in Barcelona midfielder Thiago Motta.

The Brazilian has fallen out with Barca coach Frank Rijkaard this season and appears to not have a future at the Nou Camp.

Inter chief Marco Branco still regards Motta highly and is ready to ask Barca to name their price for the midfielder.

Inter's Crespo sends congratulations to AC Milan:

Inter Milan striker Hernan Crespo sent his best wishes to former club AC Milan after their Champions League success this week against Manchester United.

Crespo, who played for Milan last season, said: "I'm happy for (coach Carlo) Ancelotti and for the boys, they have played brilliantly and I'm sure that now that they have the chance to gain revenge after what happened two years ago, they will do everything to achieve it.

"A prediction for the final? I never do that, I am a player."