Former Inter Milan president Massimo Moratti believes the club's owners have already made an attempt to sign Lionel Messi.

Messi's future with Barcelona is in serious doubt amid claims he informed new coach Ronald Koeman that he wasn't sure about staying for next season.

Inter's owners Suning are being linked with a move for the Argentine.

And Moratti told AS: "I imagine that Inter have already tried. I have seen that Suning ad with the Argentine's silhouette in the Duomo and this makes me think that an initiative has already been taken.

"And if not, I think they will soon.

"It is not a simple operation economically, it is clear. But the biggest obstacle is Messi's will. We have to know if he really wants to leave Barça. I do not have this very clearly."