Inter Milan coach Roberto Mancini says signing Yaya Toure from Manchester City is a priority this summer.
Inter have been with City midfielder Toure and, even though the Serie A club would likely have to break the bank to sign him, Mancini told Sky Sport Italia that he remains his No. 1 objective for next season.
"He's still a City player so we're not talking about anything definite yet, but if he were to join Inter, then it would be a big thing for Italian football," .
"We need to get top players back. We're going to give it a go, there's no doubt about that."
Before Inter can consider a bid for the 31-year-old, they must first resolve the futures of their current top earners Nemanja Vidic and Rodrigo Palacio.
According to figures published by , they are currently earning €3.2 million per annum -- the highest wages of any Inter player at present.
Hernanes is third on €3m with Fredy Guarin on €2.8m and Xherdan Shaqiri on €2.5m, although that could rise from next season when his loan move from Bayern Munich is made permanent.
The would have to exceed all that with a reported €4.5m per annum required to tempt Toure, in addition to the transfer fee the Italian club are yet to agree with City.
That could mean the sale of three players -- potentially Vidic, Hernanes and Samir Handanovic -- is the only way to free up the necessary funds.
Meanwhile, missing out on Europe next season could actually prove to be a blessing in disguise for Inter. They are currently under investigation by UEFA for breaching financial fair play rules and transfer sanctions are anticipated.
However, they will only be imposed the next time Inter appear in UEFA club competition, which means failure to qualify this term would postpone any penalty and allow them more freedom to mount a bid for Toure.
Club president Erick Thohir was reportedly preparing to inject a further €60m in the club, although La Gazzetta dello Sport speculated on Wednesday that he may no longer be in charge next season with former president Massimo Moratti reportedly so concerned with the club's current plight that he is considering buying them back.
Moratti issued an immediate denial, giving his full backing to Thohir.
"I've read the papers, but there's no truth in it," Moratti said, reports . "Erick Thohir has my full backing and I hope he does well. He's got all that it takes for this to happen and he's putting in a lot of work.
"Of course I miss Inter as a fan, and maybe I would like to have more satisfaction from them, but I'm sure Thohir feels the same way. There's no chance I'll be taking back control of the club."
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