Source: Telegraph
Liverpool's troubles prompt Jose Mourinho's Inter Milan to move for Steven Gerrard
Mourinho is a long time admirer of the England international and came close to signing him, twice, while manager of Chelsea. [LNB]The Italians are desperate for success on the continental stage, after becoming the preeminent force in their domestic league, and the club's owners are willing to back Mourinho with sufficient funds to build a team to compete with the top clubs from England and Spain. [LNB] Related ArticlesAll quiet on the transfer frontHiddink wants return to Premier LeagueTorres: Liverpool must spend bigTime running out for BenitezBenítez record under microscopeStoke City v Liverpool: previewCorriere dello Sport reported that last year Inter tabled a £40m offer for Gerrard, a claim that Marco Branca, the club's technical director who oversees transfer business, would not deny. [LNB]'It's very unlikely that Liverpool will sell Gerrard,' he said at the time. 'He is the symbol of the club and the player is emotionally linked to Liverpool.'[LNB]However, one of the top agents in Italy has told the Guardian newspaper that the deal is likely to happen at the end of this season. [LNB]'Clubs are already working for the market in June,' he said. 'Inter are working to sign Steven Gerrard given that Liverpool are in economic difficulty.'[LNB]Despite winning four straight league titles and currently sitting top of Serie A, Inter are in the process of rebuilding, especially an ageing midfield. [LNB]Patrick Vieira has already left to join former manager Roberto Mancini at Manchester City, captain Javier Zanetti will be 37 this summer while the club are poised to sell Brazilian winger Mancini to Marseille this month. [LNB]Doubts persist over the quality of Ricardo Quaresma while Sully Muntari, the former Portsmouth player, has seen his form tail off after a bright start to his career with the club. [LNB]Though it appears on the face of it that Gerrard is too much a part of Liverpool to leave, the potential failure to qualify for the Champions league next season and, more importantly, a season in which the club have gone backwards at high speed in their quest to win the Premier league title, may cause the midfielder to reconsider his options. [LNB]Manager Rafa Benítez has also admitted that no top four finish this season would make it difficult financially to hold on to their brightest talent. [LNB]'Finishing in the top four is the key to keeping everyone together,' he said last week. [LNB]
