New Inter Milan boss Antonio Conte has refused to comment on speculation linking the club with moves for Manchester United duo Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Sanchez.
Conte was appointed as the new boss at the San Siro last week, having been without a club since being sacked by Chelsea in 2018.
Inter have been linked with moves for the United pair this summer, as they look to end Juventus’ dominance of Serie A, however, Conte was noncommittal when asked about a move for Manchester United number 9, Romelu Lukaku.
“I think now it’s very difficult to talk about this. For sure, we have a plan to try to improve the team,” Conte told the BBC World Service.
“But it will be very important for the players, it will be very important to have a great will and great ambition, me, the players and the club, to try to reduce this gap.
“I repeat in this moment there is a sporting director to talk about this and do this question about the transfer market, about the players. But I repeat, now we are very focused to do the first step and to work together.”
According to The Sun though, Lukaku’s potential move to Serie A could be in doubt with Inter struggling to meet financial fair play rules.
The Italian giants reportedly need to raise £40m by the end of June, with the club actively looking to sell one or two players from their squad to comply with FFP regulations.
Should Inter fail to meet the deadline on June 30, they will be unable to come up with a financial package to secure the signing of the Belgian international, with United looking to recoup the £75m that they paid Everton to sign him in 2017.
Conte is believed to have identified Lukaku as the forward to lead his attack next season, with the controversial Mauro Icardi being linked with a summer exit from the San Siro.
The Italian was also asked about the possibility of signing Lukaku’s United teammate Alexis Sanchez, with the Chilean forward linked with a return to Italy after a torrid spell at Old Trafford.
The 49-year-old was equally dismissive when talking about specific targets, suggesting the club’s sporting director is in charge of recruitment.
“You’re talking about the transfer market, you have to talk to the sporting director about this topic.”
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