Israel Saria
Eurosport –
Midfielder Sulley Muntari has joined Internazionale from Portsmouth in a deal that appears to have ended the Italian champions’ pursuit of Chelsea‘s Frank Lampard.
The Ghana international penned a four-year deal with the Serie A giants for an undisclosed fee, thought to be in the region of £16 million.
The 23-year-old returns to Italy where he enjoyed a successful five-year spell with Udinese prior to his £7 million move to Fratton Park last summer.
“I’m very disappointed to see him go,” Harry Redknapp told Pompey’s official website. “He’s a terrific player and was a great signing for us. He’s a really nice lad as well.
“He helped us to achieve what we did last year. But Inter Milan have come in and made a big offer which allows us to strengthen the team in a couple of other positions.”
Despite Muntari’s arrival at the Giuseppe Meazza, Inter chief executive Ernesto Paolillo had hinted the move would not scupper a deal for Lampard, who has become a major target for new boss Jose Mourinho.
However, Mourinho appeared resigned to missing out on the England midfielder while club director ruled out the possibility of bringing in any more players.
“I’m not disappointed by Lampard,” he said.
“The important thing for a player is to do what makes him happy. If his decision is to stay at Chelsea I accept that.”
Oriali added: “Muntari is the last buy. Now we will work on trimming the squad because Mourinho wants 22 players and three goalkeepers. There will be some painful goodbyes.”
Muntari becomes Mourinho’s second signing since taking over the reins from Roberto Mancini earlier this summer.
He follows Brazilian winger Mancini, who arrived from Roma last month for around 12.5 million euros (£10 million).
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