Barcelona Chief Joan Laporta: Inter Want Lionel Messi

Barcelona President Joan Laporta says his opposite number at Italian giants Inter has openly expressed his desire to sign Argentine star Lionel Messi.

“Messi is not up for sale and he must forget about him,” Laporta told the Corriere dello Sport newspaper.

Moratti allegedly sounded out the Catalans over the availability of the 22-year-old last summer, when the two clubs were discussing the swap deal involving strikers Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Samuel Eto’o.

“And I told him [Moratti] that Messi was not up for sale: it’s out of the question,” explained Laporta.

Inter will travel to the Camp Nou on November 24 for a crunch Champions League clash, and the Beneamata lead the way in Group F with Barca one point adrift.

“That match is more important to us than it is to Inter,” said Laporta.

“The Nerazzurri can qualify by beating Rubin Kazan at home in the last round of games.

“We all know how much we need a win. And even though we respect our opponents, we will do anything in our power not to let it evade us.”