Inter Milan president Massimo Moratti has insisted that rumours in the newspapers were the first time he had heard about a potential sale of the club.

Moratti has said in the past that he would welcome extra financial support, but has never admitted that he was to sell his controlling stake of 75%.

"I was informed about [the stories] and I read them myself this morning," he told the club's official website. "I keep learning about what's going on thanks to the newspapers."

Moratti's Inter finished a disappointing ninth in last season's Serie A.