OFFICIAL: Inter sign Muntari

[Evertonscouser]

SkySports:

Sky Sports News understands Inter Milan have made an approach for Portsmouth midfielder Sulley Muntari.

The Ghanaian only joined Pompey from Udinese last summer and enjoyed an impressive debut campaign in the Premier League.

He was recently linked with a move to Juventus, but Serie A rivals Inter have now entered the chase for Muntari.

Pompey boss Harry Redknapp told Sky Sports News earlier this week that there had been no contact with Inter and that he wanted to keep Muntari at Fratton Park.

However, Inter boss Jose Mourinho now appears to have stepped up his interest in the player after failing to tempt Chelsea into selling Frank Lampard.

Muntari, who scored seven goals last term, has returned for pre-season training this week and stated he was looking forward to the new campaign with Pompey.

Is Muntari the plan B after not securing Lampards signature?

He's not Lampard's class but still a good player in my opinion.

[Jager]

I have not commented on this as I don't want this to happen. Muntari would be a poor replacement, no offense to him. This is not the way I want to conclude this, and if Queresma comes, I'm sure we can fix or find a solution in house. In other words, just play the young Pele.

[D-Kin]

Reports in Italy suggest he could sign before the end of the day.

[acitalianman13]

INTER, Agreement for Muntari
24.07.2008 09.49 by Redazione TMW read 507

Among Sulley Muntari and Inter lack only the announce: the ghanaian midfielder will be the reinforce wanted by Josè Mourinho for midfield. Portsmouth will earn 15 millions plus prizes for targets reached, the same that Milan have established with Barça for Ronaldinho.

The player will sign a five years deal, that will leave from 2 millions for end in 2013 at 3 millions. The announce could arrive still this evening or at least in the week-end.

[Lemmy]

Portsmouth midfielder Sulley Muntari is expected to complete a £12.7m move to Inter Milan on Thursday.

The 23-year-old Ghana international has agreed a four-year contract with the Italian champions.

The signing suggests that Inter boss Jose Mourinho has given up hope of signing Frank Lampard this summer.

Mourinho had been desperate to land an attacking central midfielder - Lampard was his first choice, with Muntari regarded as the best alternative.

Portsmouth signed Muntari from Udinese for £7m in May 2007 and he was an ever-present in their first team last season, scoring seven goals.

Last week Pompey boss Harry Redknapp said he was very reluctant to allow the Ghana international to leave Fratton Park.

"We haven't spoken to anybody and I don't want to sell Sulley anyway," he said.

"He's a top player. We don't have to let anyone leave and we definitely don't want to. (He is) going nowhere, nowhere at all."

But the lure of playing for the Italian champions in the Champions League, under the guidance of Mourinho, was too much for Muntari to resist.

Mourinho will now hope to sign Lampard when his Chelsea contract expires next summer.

BBC SPORT | Football | My Club | Portsmouth | Muntari set for £12.7m Inter move

[Jager]

Its a done deal, I guess under the circumstances, its not a bad deal.

He is much younger than Lampard, and I'm sure JM will get the best out of him.

We still lack some creativity though..but management says that is it. We'll just have to wait.

[acitalianman13]

i await quaresma now

[Jager]

You'll be waiting a long time then, as the club has stated no new transfers.

Our big transfer was Jose Mourinho.

[sinoy1]

Muntari is very good.Cambiasso and Muntari are both Lefties though Im not sure ive seen 2 CM's/DM's who are lefties and play at the same time,although Cambiasso is good with his right.

Im assuming Vieira starts as well for a 4-3-3?Leaving Ibrahimovic uptop alone is a waste I feel.I think he thrives off of a 4-4-2.

[Dellas]

Not in the same class as Lampard...but if Jose can get the best out of him he will def be a great asset to the team.

[Lemmy]

Originally Posted by acitalianman13

i await quaresma now

I doubt it's gonna happen this season.

[acitalianman13]

muntari still isnt official on inter.it

[Evertonscouser]

BBC

Italian champions Inter Milan have completed the signing of midfielder Sulley Muntari from Portsmouth.

The 23-year-old had a medical in Italy on Friday and agreed personal terms over the weekend, putting pen to paper on a four-year contract on Monday.

Muntari, who will cost about £12.7m, is Jose Mourinho's second signing since becoming manager, following Roma winger Mancini to the San Siro.

Mourinho will now turn his attention to trimming his squad for the new season.

"We have too many players and it's not an easy situation, we need to reduce the squad to 25," said Mourinho.

Muntari's signing also signals the end of Inter's interest in Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard, at least until next summer when his contract is due to run out.

"Muntari is the last buy," Inter director Gabriele Oriali said on Monday.

"Now we will work on trimming the squad because Mourinho wants 22 players and three goalkeepers. There will be some painful goodbyes."

Portsmouth signed Muntari from Udinese for £7m in May 2007 and he was an ever-present in their first team last season, scoring seven goals.

Now Muntari is in how do you think Jose will use him?
And which players do you expect to makeway?

[D-Kin]

As a starter? Probably not, we'll see though.

He's experienced in Italy so that shouldn't be an issue, he just lacks the creativity Inter were maybe hoping for.

[Dellas]

That pretty much guarantees in my mind the fact that Lampard will stay with Chelsea for this season at least. Even though Inter have stated that Lampard can still come to them, I just don't see it happening this summer.

Decent buy especially as he has played before in Serie A, so he should really fit right in.