Inter almost signed Beckham, says Moratti

Inter Milan almost signed Manchester United's England midfielder David Beckham last year, according to the Serie A club president Massimo Moratti.

Beckham has long been linked with a move to Italy and his failure to agree a new deal with the premier league champions and recent absence from the United starting line-up has fuelled reports that Inter could be ready to make a bid for the player.

"Last year we tried to do it and we were truly close to Beckham, but then the deal failed for a thousand reasons," said Moratti in comments reported by the daily Gazzetta dello Sport on Wednesday.

"Now I feel the prospects are impossible," added the Inter chief.

Gazzetta suggested that United could be interested in a swap-deal involving Inter's out-of-favour Uruguayan international Alvaro Recoba, who has been linked with a move to Old Trafford in the past.

Asked about the chances of such a swap, Moratti said: "But then those English end up asking for money. Lots of money."

Beckham's United team mate Argentine Juan Veron, the former Parma and Lazio midfielder was also sceptical about the likelihood of the England midfielder moving to Serie A.

"I know that he is dealing with a new contract but I don't think that will influence him," Veron told Gazzetta.

"Certainly he is one of the best players in the world in his role. He would be a great acquisition. But I am not convinced that he will leave Manchester," added the Argentine.

Beckham was recently voted second behind FIFA's world player of the year Luis Figo.