Former AC Milan sporting director Massimiliano Mirabelli says Inter Milan have long wanted to sign Lionel Messi.

Mirabelli worked at Inter before his surprise switch to the Rossonero.

He recalled: “Those who want to take advantage of it may do so. When I was at Inter, President (Steven) Zhang talked about the market and said 'I want Messi' but we explained to him that there was no possibility for the FFP.

“I can assure you that for Inter he is more than a dream. Now his contract will expire in a year, then he's in danger of leaving on a free transfer next June. These are important choices to make in Spain, but you have to think about not losing such a player on a free transfer."