Messi & Cristiano Ronaldo would be good understudies for Milito, jokes Stramaccioni

Andrea Stramaccioni has joked that either Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo would match Inter's criteria for a new attacker.

The Nerazzurri are keen to land a forward who could not only serve as an understudy for first-choice striker Diego Milito but also play out on the wings, and the rookie boss has laughingly said that both the Barcelona star and the Real Madrid forward fit the bill.

"An understudy for Milito? There isn't another centre forward as good as Milito," Stramaccioni said at a press conference.

"Would we ideally have a player who can act as back-up for Milito as well as operate in a wide role? It's hard to find someone who can carry out the centre forward role the way he does and do a job on the wing too.

"Maybe Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo could do it..."

Inter have parted company with striking trio Diego Forlan, Luc Castaignos and Mauro Zarate this summer.