MILAN: Internazionale president Massimo Moratti is close to selling a majority stake in the Serie A club to Indonesian business tycoon Erick Thohir; Moratti is reportedly willing to sell 70pc of his stake for €300m.

Former Inter president Ernesto Pellegrini has stated that he thinks Moratti should not sell the club, but Moratti – who took the reins in 1995 – feels the time is right. He said: “Nostalgia is by definition behind you and I decided to look to the future.

“People keep talking about debts, but that is the wrong perspective. Inter have similar debts to other big clubs and I am not worried about those, as I could easily continue covering it myself.

“The real problem is revenue. Those are the resources necessary for development. I am worried about the future of the club. That’s all apart from the expansion of the brand on the international market, which also has to be done.

“For years Italian football – and I take my share of the blame here – won on the field in Europe, but played entirely on home turf in financial terms. And we lost.

“Inter are worth so much more than what their revenue suggests and have to make the most of the brand internationally if the club wants a future in line with its tradition.

“Believe me, I am acting in the interests of the fans. Inter will be managed in a modern and international way. If needed, I will remain to give my contribution, but please let’s not make me into a myth. Presidents as symbols can become a blockage at some point.”

Moratti’s oil tycoon father, Angelo, was president when Inter won the European Champions Cup and World Club Cup for the first time in the mid 1960s.

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