Inter Milan director Piero Ausilio has insisted that the club remain interested in signing Yaya Toure, despite the midfielder falling down their list of priorities.

The Italian giants have long been linked with a move for the Ivorian, who is expected to leave Manchester City after six years at the Etihad Stadium, but Ausilio has said that Inter are focusing their attentions on trying to complete a takeover of the club.

Reports have suggested that Chinese-based Suning Commerce Group is close to securing a majority stake in the San Siro outfit, and Ausilio has admitted that all efforts are being made to push through a deal at the earliest opportunity.

Ausilio told reporters: "Yaya Toure is a player that we really like. But first we have to sort out [the] ownership change.

"There are still things to be sorted out between Thohir, [Massimo] Moratti and the Chinese group. That is why we have not pursued Toure yet, but we are interested.

"As a club we are aware of the challenges we face, but we will strive to get better. We are Inter and our goal can't be to finish fourth. There are obviously other teams who have similar ambitions but we are determined to be in the Champions League."

Inter are currently managed by former City boss Roberto Mancini, who signed Toure from Barcelona in 2010.