Ibra staying, agent says

| Thu, 03/26/2009 - 04:28

Zlatan Ibrahimovic is not unhappy at Inter Milan, his agent told Italian radio Wednesday.

''There is a splendid relationship between Zlatan and (Inter Chairman Massimo) Moratti,'' Mino Raiola told the private Radio Radio station.

Raiola denied reports that meetings had been set up with Moratti and coach Jose' Mourinho to persuade the Sweden star to stay at the Serie A champions and leaders.

''We don't have any appointment with Moratti or Mourinho,'' he said, accusing the media of ''cooking up'' a story about Ibrahimovic allegedly being unhappy at Inter because of its continued lack of success in the Champions League.

''Zlatan has never asked for more money or for the squad to be reinforced,'' Raiola said.

''Anyone who says the opposite is a liar''.

The Swede's agent was speaking after a surly postmatch interview on Sunday fuelled speculation that Ibrahimovic was thinking of leaving Inter.

The speculation spurred Mourinho to say he would ''convince'' Ibrahimovic to stay.

The coach said Ibrahimovic's evident moodiness despite his two goals in Inter's 3-0 win against Reggina Sunday was ''more an external thing than (something from) inside the locker room''.

Mourinho denied that the Swede was still unhappy after criticism of his performance in Inter's Champions League elimination at Manchester United two weeks ago.

The Portuguese coach, who is famed for his man management, said he was sure 'Ibra' was still ''very motivated after Manchester''.

''I understand his frustration,'' said Mourinho of the Swedish star whose failure to turn the match Inter's way added to past criticism that he is not at his best in high-stakes games.

''But we're all disappointed by the elimination''.

Mourinho assured reporters that ''relations with Ibra are excellent'' and stressed that ''all I'm looking out for is the player's welfare''.

The former Porto and Chelsea boss also said his talismanic striker, whose delightful second goal against Reggina put him joint top of the Serie A marksmen's standings, ''would now have the extra stimulus of winning the top scorers' prize''.

A brusque Ibrahimovic was clearly out of sorts after the Reggina game, complaining of ''a stomach ache''.

''I hope we win the scudetto but then we'll have to see,'' he said.

''See what?'' he was asked.

''Everything,'' he replied.

Pressed by a Sky reporter about the alleged pains in his midriff, he said: ''I get a stomach ache every time I see you''.

Inter Chairman Moratti also intervened after the 'stomach ache' story.

''He was just angry as I was after Manchester,'' said Moratti, who was reported to have lost his temper at a number of missed chances at Old Trafford.

''It's just ambition,'' the big-spending owner said.

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