Inter Milan president Massimo Moratti has indicated that the Italian giants will be turning their attention away from Argentine (Argentina 1/2, draw 3/1, Mexico 6/1) Javier Mascherano to the Brazilian Felipe Melo.

Mascherano has said that he would relish the chance to follow new Inter boss Rafa Benitez out of Liverpool to the San Siro, stating that he was already learning Italian.

However, his potential plans to move to Serie A could be scuppered as Moratti has stated that a number of issues stand in the way of the move.

“Mascherano is a strong player, but it is unlikely that he will arrive,” Moratti said.

“He simply costs too much and it is not certain that Liverpool will sell.”

Brazilian midfielder Melo has now caught the eye of the Inter president who believes the player would be an “intriguing” prospect if he could be tempted to come to the San Siro.

Melo is currently at Serie A rivals Juventus and Moratti has revealed that his club are looking to bring the player to Inter.

As for players leaving the San Siro, former Inter boss Jose Mourinho has declared his interest in bringing wing-back Maicon to his new side at Real Madrid.

It could be possible that the former Chelsea (13/8 to win the Premier League) manager could attempt to bring Argentina striker Diego Milito and Mario Balotelli to the Santiago Bernabeu but the Inter president is keen to keep hold of his top players as they look to retain the Italian league title.

“Balotelli is our future and Milito won’t move,” Moratti added. “Maicon? We’ll have to wait and see about him.

“We want to start the new season again as we ended the last one. We want to win everything possible next term.

“I’m convinced that we can win the Scudetto for the next two years, but in order to stay in contention in the Champions League then we’ll need a real top signing,” he added.

It seems that Mascherano may still be at Anfield next season as Liverpool look to regain their top four status.

The 26-year-old is currently with the Argentina World Cup squad in South Africa as they prepare for their knockout game against Mexico on June 26.

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