BEIJING, August 7 – Inter Milan manager Jose Mourinho said Thursday attempts to buy players from his former team Chelsea have become too difficult because the London club keeps raising the price of its stars.
The Portuguese coach said he is in the market for a playmaker before the Serie A league starts at the end of the month — but every time he approaches the southwest London club for a player he is left frustrated.

"I feel it has become very difficult for me to sign a Chelsea player and bring him to Inter Milan," Mourinho said in Beijing ahead of Saturday’s Italian Super Cup final against Lazio here at the Olympic stadium, the Bird’s Nest.

"Every time I am interested in one of their players, the situation becomes more different."

He reportedly attempted a double swoop in June to bring Portugal duo Ricardo Carvalho and Deco to the San Siro but the two players have remained at Stamford Bridge.

"When you talk about my interest in Deco, I find it has become too difficult because the situation looks quite different (each time he approaches Chelsea)," he said, referring to the cost for the midfield schemer.