Inter Milan are ready to open formal talks with Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez.

The Mirror says the Italian champions have already accepted that boss Jose Mourinho will quit the San Siro - for Real Madrid - after Saturday's Champions League final, with their president Massimo Moratti ­admitting: "It will be a surprise now if he stays."

Inter's first choice was England coach Fabio Capello, but the FA have slammed the door shut on that particular avenue.

So now Moratti and his top brass are preparing for formal talks with the Anfield board to prise Benitez away.

Informal contact is already underway between the Spaniard's agent, Manuel Garcia Quilon, and Inter - and an approach could follow as swiftly as next week.

The request is likely to become official after Inter have played their European final against Bayern Munich at the Bernabeu in Madrid, in what most now accept will be Mourinho's last game with the Nerazzurri.