Mourinho confirms Vieira departure

Inter Milan coach Jose Mourinho believes Manchester City target Patrick Vieira has “certainly played his last game” for the Nerazzurri.

Vieira has seemed more and more likely to be heading out of the San Siro, having featured just 16 times in all competitions this season – with most of those coming from the bench.

The former Arsenal midfielder, who has been strongly linked with a return to the Premier League, now looks certain to have made his last appearance in an Inter shirt after playing the full 90 minutes of today’s 1-0 triumph at Chievo.

Mourinho said: “I should give a special mention to Vieira, who certainly played his last game with us.

“I don’t know where he will go, maybe to England which he likes a lot, but we should thank him for what he has done in these years at Inter.

“The club decided not to renew his contract, which is coming to an end, and to accept the offer of another club.

“I will miss him but I don’t have the right to demand anything from a club who has done so much for me.”

New Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini is reportedly keen to offer the 33-year-old – whom he signed while in charge at Inter during 2006 – a return to England, initially on a loan deal, as Vieira aims to cement his place in the French World Cup squad.

Barcelona and Lyon are also said to be interested but it seems unlikely the former France captain will move to the Nou Camp, given that his prime objective is for more playing time with the World Cup around the corner.