Jose Mourinho confident Steven Gerrard will leave Liverpool for big-money move to Inter Milan

By Sportsmail Reporter

Mersey paradise: Gerrard has only ever played for the Anfield club


The one-club man signed a new contract through to 2013 last summer, but the Reds have since gone from Premier League title contenders to a team unlikely to play Champions League football next season.

Inter Milan are increasingly confident that they can tempt Steven Gerrard to quit Liverpool for Italy.

Jose Mourinho has instructed Inter president Massimo Moratti to make the England midfielder their No 1 transfer target this summer.

And although Gerrard twice turned down the chance to join up with Mourinho when the Portuguese was in charge of Chelsea, the Italians think the 29-year-old could be ready to move.

Admirer: Mourinho is a Gerrard fan


Financial constraints have made it difficult to improve the Liverpool squad and Europe's biggest clubs now see their star players as within reach.

Reports in Italy suggest that Gerrard won't want to stick around if Fernando Torres and Rafa Benitez leave the club this summer.

Juventus hope to reach an agreement before the end of the month for Benitez to be their next boss, while the frustrated Spaniard is also being considered for the Real Madrid post.

Torres, meanwhile, would be an asset to any side and has particularly caught the attention of Manchester City, Barcelona and Juve.

The Spain striker has voiced his commitment to the club, but in terms that make it clear he wants improvements to the playing staff.


Speculation: Torres and Benitez have been linked with moves away from Anfield


Inter believe it could cost between £25million and £30m to sign Gerrard, though the Serie A side are weighing up whether to offer troublesome striker Mario Balotelli in part-exchange following clashes with Mourinho.

Inter are keen to pair Sporting Lisbon's Miguel Veloso with Gerrard in a revamped midfield and will sell fringe players Sulley Muntari and Ricardo Quaresma to raise funds.

Former Portsmouth midfielder Muntari is keen on a return to England and has been linked to Everton and Tottenham Hotspur in the last few days.


source: dailymail