Milan President Silvio Berlusconi has admitted that his club would be interested in signing troubled striker Adriano were he to leave city rivals Inter.

The Brazilian hitman has had a miserable time of things on and off the field for the past 18 months. 

‘The Emperor’ has played just four times this season and has not taken to the field for a single minute in Inter’s last three Serie A matches against Palermo, Genoa and Juventus. 

This has fuelled speculation in Italy that Adriano wants to leave the club in search of first team football. 

“Adriano wants to leave Inter? Would we take him? Well I can say that there is not a team in the world who wouldn’t want Adriano,” said Berlusconi. 

The 71-year-old then commented on Adriano’s current personal problems. The Brazilian yesterday admitted that he was still suffering from depression following the death of his father. 

“Everything depends on the environment that he has around him,” Berlusconi pointed out. 

Finally the former Italian Prime Minister spoke very briefly about Filippo Inzaghi, who equalled Gerd Muller’s European scoring record with his brace against Shakhtar Donetsk on Tuesday night.

“Inzaghi has already become part of Milan's history,” Berlusconi declared.

Moratti: Adriano Is Going Nowhere


Inter President Massimo Moratti says that Adriano will stay at Inter and insists that the troubled striker is happy to remain.


The Italian press has gone into overdrive with rumours that ‘The Emperor’ is set to leave the club in January. 

The 25-year-old has made just four appearances this season and is currently Inter’s fifth choice striker behind Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Hernan Crespo, Julio Cruz and David Suazo. 

“We had the chance to send him out on loan, but the fact remains that he is happy staying here,” Moratti stated. 

Adriano revealed yesterday that he is still suffering from depression following the death of his father. However Nerazzurri Coach Roberto Mancini has showed little sympathy and has taken a hard-line approach with the Brazilian. 

“Mancini has been like a big brother,” Moratti explained.

“He has the experience and expects certain things of Adriano. His comments were a push and not a condemnation.” 

Adriano seems likely to be left out in the cold once again on Sunday when Inter host Lazio in the next round of Serie A matches.