Milan - The race between Italian champions Inter Milan and Barcelona to sign Roma's defender Cristian Chivu appears close to its end as negotiations have intensified in the past days. La Gazzetta dello Sport reported that Inter president Massimo Moratti Thursday was to offer Roma 15 million euros (20 million dollars) plus one player, possibly Argentina striker Ricardo Cruz, to obtain the Romanian defender.
The bid from the Spanish giants is strictly financial, but seems to fall a few million short of Roma's request.
"Roma ask for 18 million euros (24 million dollars) for Chivu," Roma market manager Daniele Prade said on his return from Barcelona earlier this week.
"The Spaniards' bid is interesting, but it cannot be unveiled due to confidentiality reasons ... However, Barcelona are authorised to negotiate with the player and his agent, considering the good relations among the clubs," Prade said.
Inter, meanwhile, said through their manager Marco Branca that his club has "an agreement with Chivu, who often expressed his wish to come to Inter."
The 26-year-old international has played four seasons with Roma after as many at Dutch giants Ajax.
Indirectly, Chivu's future destination is of interest also for Juventus as they look to welcoming defender Gabriel Milito from Saragoza.
The Spanish side set a fee of 18 million euros for the Argentinian, who, however, is believed to become Barcelona's choice should they fail to secure Chivu.
Juve officials are reportedly about to fly to Saragoza with an offer of at least 16 million euros (21 million dollars).
