Serie A boils as Messi chasing Ronaldo to Italy

Lionel Messi has been linked with a move to Inter Milan – even though the Italians would have to cough up £626million if they wanted to sign him.

Serie A giants Juventus pulled off a major coup when they managed to capture Cristiano Ronaldo from Real Madrid earlier this month.

The arrival of the £99million forward has ignited interest in the Italian game ahead of the new season and led to envious glances being cast towards Turin from their league rivals.

But now a bizarre story has emerged in Tuttosport claiming Inter would somehow be keen to take Messi from Barcelona to rival Ronaldo in Serie A.

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Messi, 31, committed his long-term future to Barcelona eight months ago when he agreed a new contract with the club until the end of the 2020-21 season – complete with the huge buy-out clause.

He then went on to help lead the side to the La Liga title last season and remains the main man at the Nou Camp.

Yet that has still not stopped the fanciful idea being considered by the sponsors of Inter, Pirelli, that the side would somehow come up with a package to seal the biggest transfer in football history.

Marco Tronchetti Provera, the CEO of Pirelli, dropped the bombshell claim during an interview when he said the club’s owners Suning are looking to make a major signing.

He said: “I hope that Suning, once Financial Fair Play will allow it, can make a huge signing.

“Messi? How can you say no to Messi?”

Inter may think they have a chance, but it is likely Barca would be the ones saying no.