i hope veron doesn't unintentionally curse inter to fail to win the title....

Inter Milan patron Massimo Moratti is ready to bid for Manchester United winger Ryan Giggs.

Moratti has always wanted to see Giggs wearing an Inter shirt and is banking on the January transfer window being the perfect time to convince United to cash in on the 32 year-old.

If United fail this week to make the Champions League knockout phase, Moratti will push through a £3 million offer to the Premiership giants, whose owners cannot afford to miss out on the £15 million European jackpot.

Former Inter Milan chief Giuliano Terraneo has revealed they tried to sign Ronaldinho in 1999 when he was with Brazil's Gremio.

Parma and Torino also expressed interest in Ronaldinho at the time, but he chose Paris Saint Germain, as Terraneo explained: "The player wanted to come to Europe.

"But he also didn't want to play in a big competition and for a big club."

Inter Milan president Giacinto Facchetti hailed the return to form of Adriano and also warned Juventus of their own Scudetto ambitions after Sunday's derby win.

Facchetti said: "My compliments to Adriano, he was the deciding player, not only for the goals but also for the game.

"Now we have past Milan - sure, Juventus are far away on ten points, but we can put pressure on them if they slip up and we continue to win.

"We hope for some difficult moments for the Bianconeri: it happened last season."

Inter Milan are aiming to cut Juventus' Serie A lead today against Reggina.

Juve were held by Lazio yesterday and Inter coach Roberto Mancini said: "Juve deserve to be where they are.

"But there are so many games left to play and I believe that we can recover.

"I have won tournaments in which we have recovered nine points over Juve and I have lost tournaments having had a seven point advantage.

"Everything is to play for and we will hope to cut the difference before the end of the first round."

Inter will be hoping Brazilian forward Adriano can come up with the goods with the 23-year-old having regained his top form.

Adriano struck twice against Milan to bring an end to a disappointing spell in his career.

"I want to continue to score and help Inter win," Adriano said.

"I've gone through a difficult month but I have recovered my form and I have to thank my team-mates because they have supported me in every game."

Inter Milan have agreement for AS Monaco midfielder Maicon.

The Brazilian will move to Inter at the end of this season after the two clubs thrashed out terms on Friday.

An announcement is expected in the coming weeks, with Virglio Sport confirming the agreement yesterday.

Adriano has hailed Inter Milan pal Luis Figo as a "phenomenon".

Speaking after Sunday's 4-0 win at Reggina, the Brazilian declared: "Figo is a phenomenon and as the days pass he is always getting better.

"When he has the ball at his feet, he can invent everything. In the beginning I have not always succeeded in taking advantage of his creativity.

"But he is now the best for creating chances for me. He knows where I'm running and how to get the ball to me."

Inter Milan have clinched an agreement with the representatives of Ajax wing-back Maxwell.

The pre-contract agreement was reportedly agreed on Monday, with Maxwell to sign terms with Inter next month ahead of a Bosman move at the end of the season when his Ajax deal expires.

The terms of the agreement will not be made public until Maxwell puts pen to paper on an official pre-contract in January.

Inter Milan striker Adriano admitted he was scared after he was knocked unconscious against Empoli on Wednesday night.

"I was certainly scared alright," said Adriano. "But it's in the past now, so I'm okay.

"The doctors assured me I'm okay so tomorrow I'll be able to return to Brazil to spend some time with my family.

"It was a nasty experience, but it's in the past now and that's what counts."
More...

Inter Milan patron Massimo Moratti is weighing up a £7 million bid for Liverpool striker Djibril Cisse.

Coach Roberto Mancini has already told Moratti he needs to sign a new striker next month with Obafemi Martins committed to Nigeria's African Nations Cup campaign.

Inter have already recalled Nigerian whiz Victor Obinna from Chievo, but the teenager has also been selected by Nigeria for the tournament.

Moratti is understood to be preparing a £7 million bid for Cisse, well aware the Frenchman is frustrated with his bit-part role at Anfield.

Lazio president Claudio Lotito is demanding £2 million for wing-back Cesar.

Lotito wants to sell the Brazilian this month after he described the club's new contract offer as "ludicrous".

Inter Milan patron Massimo Moratti has been in contact with a concrete offer of £600,000 - which falls well short of what Lotito is seeking.

Inter Milan defender Walter Samuel has slammed Real Madrid for allowing midfield pair Luis Figo and Esteban Cambiasso to leave the club last year.

All three former Real stars are now at Inter and Samuel said: "It surprised me alot that Real Madrid let two great players like Figo and Cambiasso leave for free.

"I can sincerely say that they are doing very well at Inter. Figo always plays at a very high level in Madrid.

"But it surprised me most about Cambiasso. Madrid do not realize the serious error they have made."

Internacional striker Rafael Sobis is on the verge of a deal with Inter Milan.

Reports in Italy today state that the Brazil U20 international could sign for Inter in the next 24 hours.

Sobis' agent, Jorge Machado, is in Milan to thrash out a deal which will see the youngster move to Inter in August at the end of this year's Copa Libertadores campaign.

Bayern Munich supremo Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has had a swipe at Inter Milan over their pursuit of midfielder Michael Ballack.

Inter are said to have tabled a four-year contract offer to Ballack's advisors last week, but Rummenigge says: "I do not know anything about this.

"Ballack has not said anything to us and I hope that he decides to remain with us.

"Inter must have already given up on this season because they're already thinking about the next one."

Palermo president Maurizio Zamparini has revealed Inter Milan have made an approach for midfielder Mariano Gonzalez.

"Inter have asked me about Gonzalez," said Zamparini, "but I have chosen to hold onto him."

The Palermo president also revealed: "Barzagli and Terlizzi are joining AC Milan? Well, I was in the office of (vice-president) Adriano Galliani and he never mentioned them.

"There's been plenty of stories in the press about us losing our players. But I haven't sold anyone - only bought."

He added: "Inter have been linked with Santana, but they've never asked for him. Fiorentina has - but I want to keep him."

Inter Milan patron Massimo Moratti has confirmed they'll go for Bayern Munich midfielder Michael Ballack should Juan Veron decide to leave at the end of this season.

It's been suggested Inter have already tabled a pre-contract offer of four years worth £12 million to Ballack in the last fortnight.

Moratti said: "As far as Ballack goes, he is someone we are interested in. But everything depends on what Veron will do. If the Argentine stays, there won't be a need for Ballack."

Inter Milan are waiting on a response from Bayern Munich midfielder Michael Ballack over their contract offer.
 
Ballack's agent, Michael Becker, met with Inter chief Marco Branca two weeks ago to discuss a Bosman move to the San Siro for the Germany international.

Real Madrid's contract offer of £4 million-a-year remains the biggest on the table. Inter have offered £2.7 million-a-year and neither club has met 29 year-old Ballack's demands of a five-year deal.

Inter patron Massimo Moratti is expected to hold a meeting with Ballack and Becker in the coming weeks to try and convince him to snub Madrid and move to Milan in the summer.

Inter Milan striker Adriano is under huge pressure after his poor performance against Juventus on Sunday.
 
Fans are furious after it emerged that Adriano had been partying late on Thursday night before Inter's final training session on Friday ahead of the huge game.

Virglio Sport says Adriano was spotted at Milan's 'The Club' in the early hours of Friday morning and his display at training later in the day has infuriated sections of Inter support.

Adriano has struggled for form since Italy's winter recess and his late return from international duty, which drew the wrath of teammates and coach Roberto Mancini.

Defender Marco Materazzi admits he wants to see Real Madrid striker Ronaldo back at Inter Milan next season.
 
However, the Italian knows Ronaldo must convince Inter fans of his commitment before considering a return to the San Siro.

For last night's Champions League win over Ajax, some of the fans held up banners urging the club not to re-sign Ronaldo.

Materazzi said: "It's a shame, as Ronaldo did well at Inter, even if he left in bitter circumstances. The only thing to do is to talk about matters, so Ronaldo should speak with the Ultra leaders and work through these problems.

"He is my friend and I'd like to see him back here, but I realise a lot of people felt betrayed by his actions."