Inter Milan president Massimo Moratti has revealed the reasons behind the decision to sell Zlatan Ibrahimovic to Barcelona and is delighted with the money the Nerazzurri are set to make from the deal. Inter will receive Samuel Eto'o and €45m [£40million] in exchange for the Sweden striker, while Alexander Hleb could still move to the San Siro on loan.

Many fans are dismayed that the club are selling Ibrahimovic, last year's leading goalscorer in Serie A, but Moratti insists they are simply giving in to the player's wishes.

"More than once in the last few months he has shown his desire to change clubs," he said. "It wasn't forced, he told us that he saw his career developing elsewhere.

"We're talking about someone rather indifferent on a sentimental level, a professional."

It wasn't forced, he told us that he saw his career developing elsewhere.
Inter Milan president Massimo Moratti

Ibrahimovic's agent claimed recently the player had been thinking of a move to Barça for over a year, but Moratti refused to be drawn.

"If that is true I must say he did an incredible job at not letting it out," continued the Inter chief.

"I don't think anyone could have guessed his desire was away from Inter, given he's leaving as the league top scorer. We are all thankful for what Ibra has done for us over the years."

Moratti feels that the deal is of mutual benefit to both Inter and Barça, and has reassured fans that the only reason Eto'o cost so little was because he has a single year left on his contract with the Catalans.

"It seems to me an intelligent move by Barcelona to begin new paths," he added. "And for Inter, we're talking about a positive deal also in the financial sense.

"You have to bear in mind that Eto'o's value as a player is not that of his low transfer value.

"It was great business for both. I can't recall a deal of this level between European clubs."