Ex-Inter president Moratti claims club's current owners could sign Lionel Messi

Former Inter Milan president Massimo Moratti believes the club have the resources to bring Lionel Messi to the San Siro this summer.

Messi has often criticised Barcelona's performances this season, while he has also been at odds with the club's hierarchy over transfer dealings and manager appointments, leaving many to question whether the Argentine will extend his stay at the Nou Camp.

Uncertainty over Messi's future has led him to being linked with a move to Inter, which would see him come up against old foe Cristiano Ronaldo, who currently rules the roost in the Serie A with Juventus.

And while Moratti failed in his attempts to sign Messi during his early years at Barcelona, the 75-year-old believes the club's current owners have what it takes to pull off one of the largest transfer coups in football history.

'I am just a simple fan of Inter now, so I don't have any inside information,' Moratti said. 'Having said that, I do know this: Suning have everything it takes to bring Messi to Milan, in terms of both resources and competence.'

Messi has not yet signed a new deal with the club and is currently able to walk away for nothing when he becomes a free agent next summer.

Reports in Italy earlier this month claimed that Inter are ready to pay Lionel Messi £60m a season to join them on a four-year deal.

Despite the speculation, Barcelona president Josep Bartomeu is insistent the 33-year-old will commit his future to the club.

'It's not just me who says it, Messi says it himself,' Bartomeu told beIN SPORTS. 'He wants to finish his professional playing career at Barcelona and it's the only club for him.

'I don't have any doubt that when he finishes his football career in three or four years it will be here at Barcelona.

'Messi has it very clear. He's been here since he was a kid, he knows the colours and is a part of the club's history.

'He is the best player in the world. Not just right now, but in the history of the game. He's at Barcelona and has made clear he wants to stay here.'