Moratti keeps eye on Henry situation

Inter owner Massimo Moratti says his club would be ready to make a bid for Arsenal's French international Thierry Henry - if the striker opts against staying with the London club.

"Which team with the potential to make a signing of that kind wouldn't do so?" Moratti said. "For anyone who loves football it is a delight to watch him play and it is nice to think, as a fan, that he could play for your team.

"At this moment it seems difficult because he is tied by his contract to Arsenal and because I have the impression he would like to stay in London."

The Inter owner said that if Henry, who has yet to sign a new contract with Arsenal, opted for a switch, the Serie A club would be ready.

"I wouldn't say that we are in pole position but we are in position," said Moratti.

Henry, who speaks Italian, played briefly in Serie A for Juventus where he made little impact. He joined Arsenal in 1999.

Italian media have reported that Inter are in the market for a big-name striker to partner their Brazilian forward Adriano next season as they bid to end a 17-year wait for a Serie A title.

Inter have been linked with a possible attempt to bring Ronaldo, reported to be unhappy at Real Madrid, back to the club he left in 2002.

But Moratti talked down the likelihood of a move for the striker who spent five seasons with the 'Nerazzurri'.

"When there is talk of a new striker, there is always talk of the same person, who is very respected but who is not the only striker in the world," he said.

In comments reported by the daily Gazzetta dello Sport, Moratti also gave his view on Manchester United's Dutch striker Ruud van Nistelrooy, who has started on the bench in recent matches.

"He is also an excellent forward who, in contrast to Henry, I know does not feel good at Manchester," said the Inter owner.