Liverpool, Man City aware Mourinho can buyout Inter Milan contract

Jose Mourinho is being linked with Liverpool.

The News of the World says Mourinho is prepared to pay the £5.5million buy-out clause in his Inter Milan contract this summer and return to the Premier League.

Mourinho said: "The club and I signed a very objective contract until 2012, because we want to work together.

"But there is a cancellation clause that Inter will pay me if they want my departure and another that I will pay Inter if I want to leave.

"It's all simple and very objective. There will never be a never-ending story with us as has happened in the past with other people. We are honest people with honest contracts and objectivity."

The boardrooms at Anfield and Eastlands will be on full alert - if Mourinho decides to buy his freedom and put himself on the open market.

Liverpool's relationship with Rafa Benitez has been close to breaking point all season and failure to finish in the top four would almost certainly signal his departure.

Mourinho would appeal to the club's American owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks but they would not be able to provide the spending power he would receive at Eastlands.

City have made steady progress since the arrival of Mourinho's predecessor at Inter, Roberto Mancini.

But the Italian is under pressure to qualify for the Champions League this season.