Campbell belongs to Inter

Internazionale are to sign defender Sol Campbell with the Milan clubb's president saying today: "Campbell is ours".

Inter president Massimo Moratti has sealed a transfer that was three years in the making and conludes months of speculation surrounding the defender.

The club made contact with Campbell during a shopping trip to Milan last month and their offer for the 27 year old is to be accepted over the weekend.

Campbell made the same trip in July 1998 after the World Cup finals but denied that he was in talks with Inter but new Inter coach Hector Cuper is keen to sign the 26 year old.

The England international wanted to join a club already qualified for the Champions League but Inter did not make it.

However, the Milan club have shown a long term interest in the player which has paid off for them.

New Inter coach Hector Cuper is a renowned defensive tactician and Campbell knows he has the chance to join a rebuilding Inter.

But a saying in Italian football goes: "Never sign an English defender."

The last England centre back to move to Serie A came to grief very quickly.

Sampdoria signed Nottingham Forest defender Des Walker in 1993 but he returned to England less than six months later after enduring horrendous form in Genoa.

But Inter expect Campbell to be very different and he will be paired initially with veteran Laurent Blanc in their defence.

Campbell refused Tottenham's latest contract offer last month and is to leave the club next week at the end of his contract.

The Tottenham captain's agent met several Premiership clubs over the next few days to see if they can match FC Barcelona and Inter's offer for the England international with Arsenal making a good offer.

Campbell is out of contract at Tottenham from July 1st and the London club were trying to seal a new deal for one more year with their captain but he has been offered a five year contract at Barcelona worth £100,000 a week.

Arsenal made contact with Campbell's agent Sky Andrews with the London club having very close links with Andrews and the Campbell camp.

But they cannot match the wages on offer at Inter.

If Campbell fails in Italy then he will of course be sold off to try and recoup his massive wages with Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester United all likely destinations if his move to Italy goes wrong.