Mourinho backs Inter Milan bid for Cassano

Inter Milan president Massimo Moratti has opened talks with Sampdoria over striker Antonio Cassano.

Moratti is determined to beat Juventus for Cassano, who is likely to quit Samp at the end of the season for a bigger club.

Gazzetta dello Sport says a clause in Cassano's deal allows him to leave Samp in 2009 for £14 million and Moratti has been given the green light by coach Jose Mourinho to go for the ex-Real Madrid striker.

Inter intend to drive down the cash component by offering players - including Mario Balotelli - in part-exchange.