Former Inter Milan president Massimo Moratti says there are no plans for Lionel Messi to join the Serie A club, although he claims the Nerazzurri's new owners are planning a big-name signing in the summer.
Moratti dined with his successor at Inter, Erick Thohir, and Steven Zhang, the son of the owner of the club's current majority stakeholders Suning, on Thursday and he emerged afterwards to tell reporters how ambitious their plans are.
Speculation linking Barcelona star Messi with a move to Inter may not be accurate, but Moratti says there are other plans being made by the club.
"I never heard Messi's name mentioned. While they may be planning a big signing for the future, they never discussed the Argentinian," Moratti told ANSA.
Moratti sold a majority stake in Inter to Thohir in October 2013 and the Suning Group acquired his remaining shares last June. He has, nevertheless, held onto a role of advisor, which is why he was invited along to discuss the club's transfer strategy moving forward.
"They were kind to invite me -- Suning are doing really well," Moratti said. "There's a serene climate at the club and this is also reflected in the team.
"[Stefano Pioli] is an excellent coach and the results are proving it. Inter are going through a positive phase which raises hopes. We need to take things game to game, though, and then see where it gets us. It sounds dull saying that, but it's the right thing to do."
Inter have risen to sixth in the Serie A standings by virtue of winning their last five games. They are now just a point and a position behind city rivals AC Milan, who occupy the last Europa League qualifying berth, while third-placed Napoli are five points ahead.
Pioli leads his team on Sunday to 18th-placed Palermo while rock-bottom Pescara are the next to visit the San Siro on Jan. 28.