MILAN - President Moratti took questions from the journalists waiting for him outside club headquarters after the FC Internazionale board meeting this evening.
President, how did the board meeting go?
"It was a meeting about the budget for next year, nothing out of the ordinary apart from noting that in the last two years we've cut our wage bill by around 80 million, and that if we'd been in the Champions League, next year would have been a year with no losses, so that's a shame. We're sorry we're not in the Champions League."
Are losses lower than what you expected?
"Yes, the costs in particular have come down a lot."
How is the Belfodil deal going?
"I heard about it just now. It's moving along well I think."
There was a meeting with Stankovic today. Can you cut another big slice off the wage bill there too?
"No, it's not about that, I think there's another club. Stankovic made history with Inter so it's something we'll give careful attention to."
Will you have to sell a big player like Guarin or Ranocchia to finance future signings?
"It's right to think – as all clubs do - that in order to buy you also have to sell, but these things don't always happen at the same time. We'll try to do what's needed to strengthen the team and also assess whether that's a possibility for a player or two, without having to make too much of a sacrifice on the football side."
How long will this stage of the transfer window take to complete?
"There are two months to go, July and August, before the window shuts. Anything can happen."
Are Juventus going to be unbeatable in Italy now that they've got Tevez?
"Tevez is a great signing, he's got personality and bags of experience. No one is ever unbeatable but it's certainly a notable reinforcement for Juventus' front line."
You were interested in Tevez a year and a half ago. Do you have any regrets about a player that's cost nine million?
"No, there are no regrets because Tevez's wages are around eight million and that's not something we're too keen to take on."
You called Cassano an 'artist'. Are you sorry he's leaving Inter?
"Definitely. He's the sort of player we'll always be sorry to lose because of his class and because he's a joy to watch, like many players with unique qualities who have come and gone over the years."
Is Isla closer to becoming an Inter player?
"We're having discussions things with Juventus, just as we're in discussions with other clubs about players in that position. We'll see what the best opportunity is."
What about Thohir? Is there any news there?
"It's going well. I think both parties are keen to do something that's good for Inter and we'll make sure it is good for Inter."
Is it likely there will be some news by the end of July?
"I don't know, I couldn't say."
