Inter Milan had appeared close to signing Atalanta full-back Marco Palestra this summer, with an agreement worth around €50 million including bonuses reportedly in place, only for Chelsea to hijack the deal with a superior offer to both Atalanta and the player.
Inter had also explored a move for Como playmaker Nico Paz, but Real Madrid ultimately exercised their buy-back option on the Argentine before allowing him to return to Como for around €60 million, with a new buy-back clause set at €80 million.
Speaking to Gazzetta dello Sport, Moratti said both deals had always been difficult to complete.
"They were both very difficult negotiations," Moratti said. "It stood to reason that they might not go through. Palestra is a good player, but he had an excessive price.
"Paz's qualities are there for everyone to see, but Inter have nothing to reproach themselves for, because the success of that deal did not depend on them."
Moratti also addressed the arrival of Gonçalo Ramos at rival club AC Milan, insisting Inter's position at the top of Italian football remains unthreatened.
"Inter are still the strongest side in Italy," Moratti said. "That's partly why, after missing out on Palestra and Paz, the fans are perhaps a little annoyed, but certainly not worried. They know very well that Inter remain ahead of everyone."
The former president was also asked about the situation surrounding Alessandro Bastoni, who has been at the centre of recent headlines.
"Poor lad, I can't give an opinion on such a delicate and personal matter," Moratti said. "If he remains a target for opposition supporters? I really hope that doesn't happen. Having certain reactions out of rivalry is one thing, but being cruel over an accusation that is so poorly understood, and whose truth nobody really knows, is another thing entirely."
Moratti's comments came after a summer in which Inter have seen two high-profile targets slip away, while AC Milan strengthened their attack with the signing of Ramos. Despite the setbacks in the market, the former Inter president's message was one of reassurance, framing the club's current standing in Italian football as unaffected by the failed pursuits.