Inter confirm Maicon could join PSG; Milito to retire from football

Inter confirm Maicon could join PSG

Inter have confirmed speculations linking star defender Douglas Maicon with a switch to Paris Saint-Germain.

The Brazilian defender is pondering his options and his representative recently admitted his client could leave Giuseppe Meazza this summer.

Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain have been mentioned as possible destinations and Inter chief Massimo Moratti explains that a move to Parc des Princes could be on the cards.

“I don’t know yet if Maicon could go to Paris,” Moratti told reporters on Tuesday.

“First of all we will have to decide whether to sell him, but I do see that they are putting together a great squad.”

The Inter owner also confirmed interest in Sebastian Giovinco and Lucas Moura.

“Who doesn’t like a player such as Giovinco? Lucas, meanwhile, is an idea, but one of many right now.”

The Neroazzurri are determined to rebuild their squad over the summer and there are no doubts Giuseppe Meazza will be a busy place during the summer transfer window.

Milito to retire from football

Independiente defender Gabriel Milito has announced that he plans to retire from football at the end of the current season.

The 31-year-old joined Independiente in August 2008 on a free transfer from Barcelona and he has been almost ever present for the Argentine club this season.

However, the player has decided to call it quits on his football career due to his ongoing knee problems.

“I don’t feel well, either physically or mentally. I’ve been thinking about this since the start of the year. It isn’t an easy decision because I love what I do,” Milito said to club’s official website.

“I’m happy to finish my career at the club where I started. I made my professional debut at the club that I wanted and I’m retiring where I want.”

Milito started his career at Independiente and spent six years there before joining Zaragoza in 2003.

The highly rated defender made a €20 million move to Barcelona in July 2007, but numerous injuries prevented him from fulfilling his potential at Camp Nou.

Milito has earned 42 caps for the national team and scored one goal in the process, while making one appearance at the 2006 World Cup for Argentina.

Schalke keen on Tranquillo Barnetta

Schalke are weighing up move for Bayer Levrkusen midfielder Tranquillo Barnetta, according to Bild.

The Swiss winger has less than a month left on his deal at Bay Arena and he has already informed the club chiefs that he plans to leave the club this summer.

German newspaper Bild reports that Schalke are looking to take advantage of the situation and beat other interested sides to the player’s signature.

The Miners are looking for attacking reinforcements after Raul Gonzalez Blanco left the club and they believe Barnetta would be a great replacement.

They are also keen to keep hold of star striker Klaas Jan Huntelaar at the club, and the Dutchman has requested several high-profile signings in order to extend his deal at Veltins Arena.

Barnetta should fall into this category, after he scored 25 goals and produced another 39 in 194 Bundesliga games.

Schalke have recently expressed interest in signing Rafael van der Vaart from Tottenham and Salomon Kalou from Chelsea.

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