Former Inter striker Samuel Eto’o discussed the Treble winning season, his teammates and coach Jose Mourinho in an interview in today’s paper edition of the Milano based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport.

First, he spoke about his memories from the Treble winning season.

“I raised the cup to the sky and it’s not only my hands that hold it. It’s a flash, I can see the hands of millions of Inter fans, who pull it up with me.”

Eto’o discussed his first contact with the Nerazzurri and defender Marco Materazzi.

“It was with who would become my brother Marco. The story of his text message is well known. A certain Materazzi texted me ‘If you come to the Inter we will win everything’, I didn’t have that number in my address book and I asked Albertini, ‘Is it his?’ Yes, it is.

It had never happened to me before in my career, that message was decisive for my choice. And from there a great friendship was born.”

The Cameroonian moved onto talking about Inter president Massimo Moratti and Nerazzurri coach Jose Mourinho.

“He called me speaking perfect French and said, ‘Eto’o, trust me. You’ll be very happy with the move to Inter, it will become like your home.’ He was right.

“Mourinho sent me a picture of a Nerazzurri shirt with the number 9 on it and wrote, it’s yours, it’s waiting for you.”

Eto’o commented on the initial differences between his wage request and Inter’s offer.

“Participating in such a sporting challenge made a difference to me, but there was also a difference between the offer and my request.

“When I met the executives involved in the negotiation, including Moratti and Branca, I said, ‘Let’s turn that difference into a team bonus if we win the Champions League in the next two years. Ten months later we were European champions.”

He revealed that he felt disappointed by Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola when he departed the club in the summer of 2009.

“Yes, but by then I’d left everything behind, and I was already talking to other clubs, I knew I was leaving. That message from Materazzi stopped all other negotiations, I felt that it was the right place to go.”

Eto’o discussed how he only scored 16 goals in the Treble winning campaign, even though he was crucial to the squad that season.

“I knew I was lucky enough to be where I wanted to be, the real Eto’o was seen the following season. Tactically I did my duty, what a squad like Inter deserved, even though I played as a full-back at Barcelona when there was a full emergency.

“When Thiago Motta was sent off, Mourinho called me and Zanetti and explained us how to position ourselves. I didn’t have time to think, I just said to myself, ‘Give everything and we’ll see at the end’. And in the end, we were in the final.”

The Cameroonian spoke about his striker partner Diego Milito, who was instrumental in the Treble winning campaign.

“Thank God jealousy is not a feeling that I have. Diego was great, he never made mistakes in front of goal but in the end, we did the same thing. I played for the team, he scored for the team.”

Eto’o discussed the Champions League clash against Chelsea in London.

“I’ll always remember two things about that night. Mourinho’s speech before the match, ‘No team I coached can beat me’. We entered the field determined, we even played for the coach.

“Then I remember when I stopped before I went to score, at that moment I said to myself, ‘If you do it well, then you score easy’. I still have it here in my eyes, that control.”

The former Inter striker commented on how it felt to play against his former club, Barcelona, in the Champions League that season.

“That’s exactly what I said to myself, we were about to write a story that was too good, to climb the last step before the final at Camp Nou, it was a sign for me.”

Eto’o touched on what Mourinho said before the Champions League final against Bayern Munich.

“It wasn’t long, he just said, ‘you don’t play finals, you win them. Either we die on the pitch and bring the cup to Milan, or we die because we’re not going back to Milan. So, let’s go back there, and take the cup with us.’”

The Cameroonian discussed if he was close to returning to Inter in 2013.

“I don’t know if there was ever a chance, it was a wish of mine. For me it would have been very nice.”

Finally, Eto’o discussed how he will always be an Inter fan.

“That’s right, when you become an Inter fan once, you will die as an Inter fan. There is no reason for this, it’s simply how it is, period.”

The post Nerazzurri Treble Hero Samuel Eto’o: “Once You Become An Inter Fan You Remain One Until You Die” appeared first on Sempreinter.

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Inter have competition in the race to sign Tottenham’s Belgian international defender Jan Vertonghen, according to a report from Italian media outlet PassioneInter earlier today.

The report details how the 33-year-old Belgian has declined all contract renewal offers from Tottenham and wishes to move to either Spain or Italy, although he wants a long contract.

There is competition for the player’s signature, as Roma are also interested in bringing the defender to Italy. Spanish sides Real Betis and Valencia are keen to sign the former Ajax player Vertonghen.

The Nerazzurri are thinking about signing the player on a free transfer, giving coach Antonio Conte an experienced defender who knows how to play on the left side of a back three.

Vertonghen currently earns around €3.5 million net per season, the report continues, and Inter may look to sign him should Diego Godin leave Milan. The Belgian has made 26 appearances for Spurs this season.

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Juventus step up the chase for Inter linked midfielder Arthur, according to a report from today’s paper edition of the Milano based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport.

The report details how the Bianconeri are looking to strengthen their squad in the summer, but are looking for players with a low salary, due to the stormy financial climate thanks to the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic. Arthur’s €4 million salary would suit the Turin based club perfectly from this perspective.

The 23-year-old Brazilian, who is contracted to Barcelona until 2024, has been offered to Inter many times in recent months, the report continues. The Blaugrana have offered him to the Nerazzurri as part of the deal for Argentine striker Lautaro Martinez.

However, so far the player himself has rejected all destinations as he has made clear in recent interviews that he wants to stay at Barcelona.

Arthur has made 23 appearances across all competitions so far this season, for a total of 1362 minutes. In that time, he has scored four goals and provided four assists.

The post Juventus Heat Up Interest For Inter Linked Barcelona Midfielder Arthur Melo appeared first on Sempreinter.

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Paris Saint-Germain will make a final decision whether or not to permanently sign Inter owned striker Mauro Icardi, by the end of May, according to a report from Italian broadcaster SportMediaset aired earlier today.

The report details how the Parisians are hoping for a big discount on the 27-year-old Argentine striker, who has a €70 million buy option attached to his loan deal.

The French club’s owner, Nasser Al-Khelaïfi, will arrive in the city over the next few days, which could prove decisive as the club seek extra funds for the deal. PSG want Icardi’s price to be lowered to €50 million, the report continues, a significant drop considering that his old release clause was €110 million.

Icardi would be more than willing to stay in Paris, despite the rumours that he was struggled to fit in with the squad. The Argentine has scored 20 goals and provided four assists in 31 appearances across all competitions this season, impressing the club’s directors.

The post PSG To Make Final Decision On Signing €70M Rated Inter Striker Mauro Icardi By The End Of This Month appeared first on Sempreinter.

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Brescia Italian international midfielder Sandro Tonali has been “promised” to Inter, according to a report from French media outlet Le10Sport earlier today.

The report details how the 20-year-old Italian midfielder has been at the centre of a clash involving the Nerazzurri and Juventus, with both clubs keen to sign emerging talent.

According to the report Tonali and his agents were unable to reach an agreement with the Bianconeri, leaving a window of opportunity for the Nerazzurri to swoop in which they did, taking full advantage of the delay.

The Milanese club quickly entered negotiations and reached an agreement with the player, who has now been promised to the Nerazzurri, the report continues, overtaking Juventus but Paris Saint-Germain as well.

The 20-year-old Italian midfielder, who is contracted to Brescia until 2021, has made 24 appearances across all competitions so far this season, for a total of 2130 minutes. In that time, he has scored one goal and provided five assists.

The post French Media Reports Inter Overtake Both Juventus & PSG In Race To Sign Sandro Tonali appeared first on Sempreinter.

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Barcelona are thinking about selling Nelson Semedo to Juventus to fund the deal for Inter star Lautaro Martinez, according to a report from Spanish news outlet Sport.

The report details how the Blaugrana are incredibly keen to sign the 22-year-old Argentine forward, believing that he would be the perfect long-term replacement for the aging Luis Suarez. The Catalan side can’t afford to pay the player’s €111 million release clause, a problem considering that the Nerazzurri aren’t willing to offer a discount on the striker.

Barcelona have a plan to earn more funds for the deal, the report continues. The Blaugrana are willing to sell Portuguese full back Nelson Semedo to Juventus, in a deal that would seem Miralem Pjanic and Mattia De Sciglio move the other way, as well as €25 million in cash, which would be used in the Lautaro deal. The Catalan club were originally hoping to offer Inter multiple players to lower the price for the Argentine forward.

The post Spanish Media Claims Barcelona Hope To Raise €25M From Selling Semedo To Juventus To Sign Inter’s Lautaro Martinez appeared first on Sempreinter.

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Cagliari sporting director Marcello Carli discussed the unclear future of Inter owned midfielder Radja Nainggolan in an interview with Italian media outlet Cittaceleste.it earlier today.

“There’s nothing new at the moment. Our priority, as it is for everyone at the moment, is not the transfer market but restarting the season. I haven’t heard from Marotta or anyone else at Inter yet, we’ll see what we will do next.”

Nainggolan joined Inter in the summer of 2018 but struggled to make a strong impact in his first season in Milan under coach Luciano Spalletti. Following the appointment of former Juventus and Chelsea boss Antonio Conte last summer, the player was quickly shuttled off away from the Lombard capital, being sent to former home Cagliari.

The 32-year-old Belgian midfielder has been a hit in Sardinia this season, being one of the stars in the squad and helping them in their early surge up the league table.

Nainggolan has made 24 appearances across all competitions so far this season, for a total of 1943 minutes. In that time, he has scored five goals and provided six assists. Cagliari are interested in keeping the player but may not be able to afford the deal or his wages.

The post Cagliari Sporting Director Carli: “Haven’t Heard From Inter Regarding Radja Nainggolan” appeared first on Sempreinter.

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Paris Saint-Germain sporting director Leonardo has no intention of losing Argentine striker Mauro Icardi, according to a report from French media outlet Le10Sport earlier today.

The report details how the Parisian club have been impressed by the 27-year-old Argentine striker’s performances this season in the French capital. The option to buy Icardi permanently is set at €70 million, a high figure considering the current financial climate. The club have asked for a discount, but the Nerazzurri aren’t too interested in lowering Icardi’s price tag.

Leonardo has been hard at work negotiating with Inter, the report continues, and has a plan. The Parisians may include 26-year-old German winger Julian Draxler in the deal.

The player, who is contracted to PSG until 2021, has made 19 appearances across all competitions so far this season, providing seven assists in that time.

Icardi has been a hit in Paris, scoring 20 goals and providing four assists in 31 appearances across all competitions.

The post French Media Claims PSG Director Leonardo Has No Intentions Of Letting Inter Owned Mauro Icardi Leave Club appeared first on Sempreinter.

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Inter have offered Dries Mertens the chance to move to the Chinese Super League after his contract expires with the Nerazzurri, should he choose to join the club, according to a report from Italian broadcaster SportMediaset aired earlier today.

The report details how the Nerazzurri are keen to sign the 33-year-old Belgian forward, whose contract expires with Napoli at the end of the season. The Partenopei, their fans and their coach Gennaro Gattuso are all trying to convince Mertens to stay in Naples, but it seems unlikely for now.

Inter have offered Mertens a two-year contract worth €5 million net per season, with an option for a third year. There would also be an option for him to join Chinese side Jiangsu Suning at the end of that contract, a team owned by the Suning group, who also own Inter.

Inter striker Romelu Lukaku has spoken to Mertens to try and convince him to join, the report highlights, and coach Antonio Conte has contacted the Belgian to detail his project.

The post Inter Include Chance To Play For Jiangsu Suning In Offer To Napoli’s Dries Mertens After 2 Years With Inter Up appeared first on Sempreinter.

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Inter wing back Victor Moses discussed his time in Milan, his relationship with coach Antonio Conte and his future at the Nerazzurri in an interview published today in Nigerian media outlet The Nation.

“Having the opportunity to work with the coach again is something I’m really happy about. I’ve spoken to him and he’s already explained the Club’s project to me. I want to be part of it, I’m happy to be here.

“I’ll give my all and want to help the team. There’s a lot of quality here, I want to make my contribution out on the pitch and enjoy myself. That’s the most important thing.”

The 29-year-old Nigerian then moved onto talking about his future and whether that’ll be in Milan.

“For me to be here and be an Inter player. I’d like to thank everyone for the welcome I’ve been given, I can’t wait to be back on the pitch of play. It seems like a nice city, I’ve liked what I’ve seen up to now. I think I’ll enjoy it here and we’ll have a great future together. I have positive feelings.”

“I’m going to need time to find my feet but I want to help the team win as many games as possible. We’ll do all that we can to achieve our objectives and make our fans proud.”

Moses also discussed coach Antonio Conte, who worked with the player at Chelsea as well as the Nerazzurri.

“I have played under a lot of managers and I’ve loved every single one of them. The most important one was Antonio Conte.

At Chelsea he just came in and changed everything. He is an amazing man; he totally changed my game to be honest. He gave me that fighting spirit to believe in myself and to enjoy my football same time. And then when he came that first season, we won the league, the following season we won the FA Cup.”

The Chelsea owned player touched on how Conte has helped him change his role.

“It was an amazing season for me under Antonio Conte and I’ll always respect him for that, he’s an amazing man. I’ve never played that (wing-back) position before. When the manager came in, he talked me through it and then put me there.

“It was good to have the manager’s support, and he backed me and gave me the confidence to go out there and express myself. So I just wanted to go out there to play for him, the fans and the football club. I didn’t let him down.”

He spoke about how the coach’s trust allows him to play better.

“I’ve come to realise that you play better under a coach that believes in you and that is what Conte has done for me. I’ve played three matches and it’s been wonderful. I feel better already.

“Before the lock down I’ve played three games. I started the match away to Udinese and we won 2-0. It is good for the team. We are playing for the good of the team.”

Moses commented on the Nerazzurri’s loss to Napoli in the Coppa Italia before the lockdown.

“We used up a lot of physical and mental energy on Sunday but this cannot be an excuse. We are very disappointed with this defeat, but we must not lose heart. We must win in the return leg.”

Finally, Moses spoke about Serie A and how it is an incredibly tactical league.

“It is not easy, it is very tactical. It is important for me to put myself at the service of the team and my teammates but the manager has been of tremendous help.

“He tells me what to do and I try to remember and follow most of his instructions. He is one of the best managers in the world. He played football himself and he has a lot of passion. I am very happy to work with him again.”

Moses, who joined the Nerazzurri in January on loan from Chelsea, has made seven appearances for the Milanese club so far this season, providing one assist in that time.

The post Chelsea Owned Wingback Victor Moses: “Antonio Conte Is The Most Important Coach Of My Career, I’m Very Happy At Inter” appeared first on Sempreinter.

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