Petit is again out of favour at Camp Nou and the 31-year-old Frenchman has made no secret of his wish to leave the club if his opportunities to claim a regular place in the side do not improve.
Chelsea have been linked with the player and last month it was rumoured that Arsenal had been offered a cut-price deal to take Petit back.
However a return to England is unlikely if a chance to play in Serie A presented itself to Petit.
Inter are believed to want Petit initially on a six-month loan deal with an option to buy the player if he impresses during his time at the Giuseppe Meazza Stadium.
Another former Premiership player on the Inter wanted list is Marco Materazzi.
The 28-year-old joined Everton in 1998 but returned to Italy after just one season with the Merseysiders.
Materazzi has blossomed in the past two seasons and many Italian pundits are predicting an international call-up for the Perugia defender.
Inter boss Marco Tardelli is keen to add to his defensive options at the club with doubts still remaining over the long-term future of Laurent Blanc, who has been linked with a move to England or his native France.
