Adriano Promises Lots Of Goals

Adriano is delighted to be back at Inter for the beginning of pre-season training, and he hopes to score plenty of goals this coming campaign.

The Emperor’ was once one of the most feared strikers in world football, before the death of his father in 2006 led to 18 months of devastating personal problems such as depression and alcoholism.

Unsurprisingly this effected Adriano’s form on-the-pitch and he became noticeably heavier and out-of-touch.

Adriano was given permission to travel to Brazil at the end of last year in order to obtain rehabilitation for his problems, and it was eventually agreed that he would join Sao Paulo on loan until the end of the European season.

At Sao Paulo he found his feet again, finishing top-scorer, and he has now returned back to Inter hoping to show the Calcio world that the ‘old Adriano’ is back.

"I'm very happy to be back in this group and I hope to stay here," said Adriano today.

"I know Jose Mourinho likes the way I play - this is important and I have to work very hard and very well to win a place in the team.

"I got on very well at Sao Paolo and I managed to get through a situation that wasn't easy. Playing there helped me a lot, now I hope to do very well with Inter.

"I will give my all and I hope to score a lot of goals."

Adriano originally joined Inter back in 2001, but he also enjoyed a loan spell at Fiorentina, as well as a two year co-ownership arrangement with Parma from 2002 to 2004.

Luca Capofranco

FIGO GIVES INTER ANOTHER YEAR

Luis Figo has agreed to stay at Italian giants Inter Milan for another season.

The 35-year-old was thought to be considering leaving Inter this summer after an injury-ravaged campaign last season.

However, the former Real Madrid and Barcelona ace has decided to stay at Inter and work under compatriot Jose Mourinho at the Giuseppe Meazza next season.

"Last season, I was out for a long time with injuries. I didn't want to finish my career with such a disappointing season," Figo told Gazzetta dello Sport.

"I wanted another year to prove something and it was beautiful that my desire coincided with Inter's".

Lampard moves closer to Inter switch

Frank Lampard is a step closer to being reunited with former coach Jose Mourinho after the Chelsea star's agent revealed he would be meeting with Internazionale bosses in the next 10 days.

Mourinho has made no secret of his desire to lure Lampard to the San Siro, but this is the first time positive words about the move have emerged from the England midfielder's camp.

The news comes amid reports that talks over a new Chelsea contract for the player have hit a snag over the length of the deal

'At the moment I've been on holiday for about a week,' Lampard's agent Franco Granello said.

'But it doesn't seem to me that Lampard's transfer has already been completed.

'I have a meeting with Inter in 10 days but for now I'm enjoying the rest, seeing as I have so little.'

Lampard, who turns 30 on Friday, has previously said he wants to stay at Chelsea but is demanding a four-year extension to his current contract while the club are reportedly only prepared to offer him half that.

According to Italian media reports, Inter have already offered the former West Ham player a five-year deal.

Lampard will have talks with Luiz Felipe Scolari when the new Blues boss begins work with the English club on July 1, days after Granello's meeting with Nerazzurri chiefs.

The Italian champions have long been linked with the Chelsea star but matters were stepped up a pace when Mourinho, who helped Lampard thrive at Stamford Bridge, took over the helm at Inter.

Earlier in the day the Portuguese coach had declared that Lampard, Deco and Didier Drogba were 'players who I could never say no to,' adding: 'I would love to work with them again in the future'.

Mourinho's comments came just days after Inter president Massimo Moratti revealed Lampard was on his club's target list.