TRANSFER TALK

Barcelona rejected Inter bid for Messi

Barcelona president Joan Laporta has revealed that Inter Milan made an audacious attempt to buy Argentina striker Lionel Messi during the summer.

Star striker Lionel Messi celebrates his goal as Barcelona win the Champions League.

Messi, who won the Champions League, Primera Liga and Copa del Rey treble last season is a leading contender to win the Ballon d'Or is one of Barcelona's prized assets.
When asked if Internazionale president Massimo Moratti had expressed an interest in buying Messi, Laporta told Corriere dello Sport: "Yes he did."
"But there is nothing to talk about. Messi is not for sale, he (Moratti) must forget about it."
In September, Messi signed a new contract with Barcelona that will keep him at the European champions until 2016 and includes a massive €250 million buy-out clause.
After signing the contract the 22-year-old forward said: "I want to spend my entire career here, in Barcelona, if it's possible. I would love to finish at Barcelona."
Inter sold Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic to Barcelona during the summer in a €60 million transfer that saw Cameroon striker Samuel Eto'o head in the other direction. Messi is thought to have been mentioned during negotiations for this deal.