Inter seek alternatives if bid for Lampard fails

Inter have looked at alternative buys in case they fail to strike a deal to bring Frank Lampard to Italy, president Massimo Moratti said yesterday.

The Italian champions, managed by Lampard's former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho, have made a bid for the England midfielder but the London club have said they are not willing to negotiate.

"Yes, definitely," Moratti told the club's television channel when asked if there were alternatives to Lampard.

"Lampard is the priority but naturally in cases like this I have been looking around for some time. If it is not possible to take Lampard, we would take a player with the most similar characteristics."

Portuguese Mourinho, who left Chelsea last September and was appointed Inter coach last month, took his first day of training yesterday having previously warned his squad about tardiness.

"I was almost scared to arrive late," club owner Moratti quipped.