Materazzi on verge of £6m Inter switch

Perugia defender Marco Materazzi is poised to join Inter after the Milan giants offered £6 million plus Greek midfielder Giorgos Karagounis for the former Everton man.

Alessandro Gaucci, the son of Perugia president Luciano, admitted on Friday that the offer was "interesting" and the player himself has already reportedly agreed to the transfer.

Coach Serse Cosmi admits that the 27-year-old, who is Serie A's highest-scoring stopper with four goals, has been an essential factor in the club's good start to the season but does not want to wreck Materazzi's dream move.

"He is a fundamental player for us," said Cosmi. "But how can I deny him the chance to play for one of the most prestigious clubs in Italian and European football?

"The club will decide and I will accept the choice that president Gaucci makes."

Inter appear to have beaten off competiton for Materazzi from Juventus, whose weakness in defence was there for all to see as they crashed out of the Champions' League and the Italian Cup.

Former Greece youth-team skipper Karagounis is currently with Panathinaikos but Inter own his registration.

Cosmi also stands to lose homesick forward Hector Tapia when the Italian transfer window opens in January. Perugia are considering an offer from Colo Colo for the Chilean.