Zanetti eyes new Inter deal

Veteran Inter captain Javier Zanetti has set his sights on a new contract after returning from Achilles surgery against Livorno on Saturday.

The 40-year-old had been sidelined since April as he ruptured his Achilles tendon in a 1-0 defeat against Palermo last season.

But the defender, who joined Inter in 1995 and has made over 800 appearances for the club, made his return after seven months out of action when he was introduced as an 82nd-minute substitute for Saphir Taider at the weekend as Walter Mazzarri’s men picked up a 2-0 win at San Siro.

Zanetti’s current deal is due to expire at the end of the season, but he would like to extend his stay by a further year.

Speaking to the club’s official website, he said: “I would like to remain and give my contribution to this great family that Inter is.

“The game against Livorno was a game full of emotion. After so much time away from the pitch, I dreamt of such a night.”

Inter’s victory maintained their grasp on fourth position in Serie A, seven points adrift of leaders Roma.

And Zanetti thinks the Inter squad are capable of competing for the title.

“The Italian league is difficult and there are many teams that compete for the same aims as we do,” he continued.

“But we are working well and we want to fight for something important.”