Inter boss rules out January move for Manchester United midfielder

Inter head coach Luciano Spalletti has revealed Inter can not afford to sign Manchester United outcast Henrikh Mkhitaryan on a permanent deal.

Mkhitaryan has been heavily linked with a move to Inter in recent weeks after it was revealed United would consider selling the Armenia international for the right price.

The 28-year-old has ran out of chances with Jose Mourinho and seemingly has no long-term future at Old Trafford, but he will not be joining Inter this month unless United change their mind on a loan deal.

“I think people are ignoring it because you know all too well what the problems are. It’s what I was saying at the start of the season: if we want to improve, we need to get players who are better than the ones we’ve already got,” Spalletti said at a news conference.

“Who do you want us to go and get, who is better than what we’ve got? Tell me? Come on, give me some names, otherwise we just go around [in circles]. It’s up to you…

“Mkhitaryan, [Javier] Pastore and then… you see? You need €30-40 million to buy them. We don’t have it. It’s no use beating about the bush – I’ve been told that we can’t spend €40m, so there’s no point even talking about it.”

“Maybe you could have an exchange of players on loan, but then you would need, for example, Manchester United to want one of our players, but you’ve got to have the same intentions.

“Everybody has to align with this FFP and nearly everybody needs to bring in more money.”

Mkhitaryan has lost his place in the United starting XI to Jesse Lingard, who has flourished for Mourinho’s side in recent weeks.

Mkhitaryan, meanwhile, has not added to his five league assists since August and has only scored two goals in 20 appearances across all competitions this season.