Internazionale owner Massimo Moratti has revealed he is prepared to sell the club if the right buyer comes forward.

Moratti took control in 1995 and has been frustrated by Inter’s lack of success in recent years.

“If there is someone who can do better than I have and has the desire to commit themselves why should I be opposed?”, Moratti told Gazzetta dello Sport.

“I am trying to be pragmatic. As I didn’t take over Inter with the intention of being in charge eternally it is right that I should contemplate the possibility of selling the club.”

Moratti stood down as club president in January 2004, handing over to Giacinto Facchetti.

“I bought Inter for reasons of passion and I have handled all these years with the desire to sell the club after winning a lot of trophies,” said Moratti.

“Unfortunately the team has faded in the face of the big challenges. I need to take that into account and have the duty to do so.”

During his 11 years in charge, Inter have won up only two trophies, the 1998 UEFA Cup and the 2005 Italian Cup, but despite huge financial investment the Sudetto has eluded them.

Currently third in Serie A but with no chance of catching leaders Juventus, Inter’s European hopes were ended last week at the hands of unheralded Spanish side Villarreal.

To compound matters, a group of protesting fans attacked players Javier Zanetti and Cristiano Zanetti at the weekend after they returned from the league victory over Ascoli.