Football Talk - Barcelona in talks with Ibrahimovic - 17/07/09
Inter have confirmed they are in talks with Spanish champions Barcelona over the possible sale of Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Internazionale president Massimo Moratti has been speaking with Barca counterpart Joan Laporta over a cash plus player deal that could see Cameroon striker Samuel Eto'o heading to the San Siro.
The clubs have already agreed terms on Maxwell's move from Italy to Catalunya. "We have closed the negotiations for Maxwell and now we are trying to end the talks over Hleb," Moratti told Sky Sport Italia. "They [Barcelona] were interested to know something about Ibrahimovic and to talk about Eto'o, two players at the same level," Moratti said.
"There is the possibility to do an operation with these two players. What are the odds of Ibrahimovic leaving Inter? I don't like to frame things this way, I don't know right now, we'll have to wait and see what the player wants. In any case, if the matter should be taken all the way to completion, then Eto'o would be in the deal."
Reports in both Spain and Italy suggest the clubs are very close to agreeing a deal which would see Inter receive €40m plus Eto'o and former Arsenal midfielder Alexander Hleb on loan for a year.
Ibrahimovic, who finished as the top scorer in Serie A last season, expressed his desire to leave the club earlier this year. "With regards to Ibrahimovic I think it's an issue that has arisen because of the wishes of the player,'' said Moratti.
