Mourinho makes first signing at Inter
Saturday, 12 Jul 2008 15:38
Mourinho to make Mancini his first signing at Inter
Jose Mourinho looks set to make his first signing as manager of Inter Milan with the £10 million (€13 million) capture of Brazilian winger Amantino Mancini from Italian rivals AS Roma.
Mancini has long been a target for
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez and came close to joining the Anfield club last summer, but it would appear he has chosen to link up with Mourinho at Italian champions Inter.
The 27-year-old left-sided winger, famed for his step-overs and dribbling skills, joined Roma in January 2003 from Brazilian side Atletico Mineiro and in five seasons he played 154 matches in Serie A, scoring 40 goals.
During that time he won two Italian cups and was part of the Roma side which lost to
Manchester United in each of the last two Champions League quarter-finals.
"We have reached a basic agreement with Roma for the sale of Mancini and the details will be worked out when the player returns to Italy next week," said Inter director Gabriele Oriali.
"Both parties are satisfied with the deal. It wasn't easy but in the end we reached an agreement, therefore we're all happy," he added.
Having captured Mancini, Inter will now set their sights on trying to finalise a move for Frank Lampard in the coming days.