Former Inter Milan president Massimo Moratti has suggested that the Italian giants will not give up on trying to sign Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi.

The Argentina international is into the final year of his contract and has been linked with a shock exit from Camp Nou this summer, amid talk of unrest behind the scenes.

Inter have been tipped to move for the six-time Ballon d'Or winner, who has spent his entire senior career to date in Catalonia.

Speculation that Messi could join the Nerazzurri only intensified last month when a picture of the 33-year-old was projected by the club's owners onto the iconic Duomo di Milano.

Moratti, who attempted to bring Messi to San Siro during his time in Milan, believes that his former club are still trying to prise the forward away from Barca.

"I imagine that Inter have already tried," he told Spanish outlet AS.

"I have seen that Suning ad with the Argentine's silhouette in the Duomo and this makes me think that an initiative has already been taken. And if not, I think they will soon."

Manchester City are also rumoured to be exploring the possibility of signing Messi.