Inter set to spend in January

Inter president Massimo Moratti has confirmed the club will look to spend money in the January transfer window.

Serie A champions look to bolster squad following Samuel injury

Internazionale president Massimo Moratti has confirmed the club will look to spend money in the January transfer window.

Inter are currently seven points clear of Roma at the top of Serie A, but have a number of injuries, particularly in midfield.

"I wasn't planning to spend money in January, but after the injury of Samuel things have changed," he told the Italian press.

"We are looking for an intelligent signing. It will have to be convenient from all point of views, both economically and technically.

"I don't think we will sign an Italian, and I see no reason why he shouldn't be foreign."

Dejan Stankovic and Walter Samuel have joined the club's injury list, with both out for a minimum of three months, while Patrick Vieira, Luis Figo or Olivier Dacourt all remain sidelined.

Shortlist

Inter have been linked with several players of late, with Monaco's Jeremy Menez, Atletico Madrid's Maniche, Torino's Ivan Dellafiore and Parma duo Luca Cigarini and Daniele Dessena all reportedly under consideration.

However, two players who are unlikely to move to the Giuseppe Meazza are Elano and Sevilla's Enzo Maresca.

Manchester City boss Sven Goran Eriksson has played down reports that Inter could be set to move for Elano, while Moratti has denied any interest in Maresca.

"I don't want to talk about technical qualities, but I can say Maresca is not one of the players we are looking at.

"We would like to sign a player who could play in the Champions League."

Targets

Meanwhile, Moratti says retaining the Serie A title is the club's priority this season.

"I continue to consider the Italian league to be an essential aim in an absolute sense," he said.

"After that, as is known, we aim for another title: the Champions League. But the fact that there are not many games does not help - it makes the task most difficult."