Romelu Lukaku is hoping to be an Inter Milan player by the time they face Manchester United on July 20.
The Belgium striker remains the top target for the Italian side’s new boss Antonio Conte, who tried to bring him back to Chelsea, his first English club, from Everton two years ago.
Back then he was beaten to the deal by United, who succeeded with a £75million swoop. But Conte is hoping to finally land Lukaku over the next fortnight.
United will play Inter in Singapore in the International Champions Cup series of high-profile friendlies a week on Saturday. The Italians are expected to open the bidding for Lukaku within the next week.
Lukaku has been told by United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer that he can leave Old Trafford if the club
receive the right offer. The 26-year-old’s representative, Federico Pastorello, has left the matter in the club’s hands — in stark contrast to Paul Pogba’s agent Mino Raiola who has put noses out of joint with his aggressive approach.
Inter, meanwhile, insist they “cannot rush things” in the pursuit of their prime target.
The Serie A side’s CEO Giuseppe Marotta said: “The transfer market is a work in progress.
“We are working hard to get the best squad possible for the new season. We are ambitious and want the best team possible. We also must find ways to respect all financial perimeters, too. We cannot rush things because that can lead to mistakes.
“We have clear ideas, but we need to be patient. We have important goals and transfer targets in our mind.”
Lukaku, currently in Australia with the United squad as they begin a globe-trotting pre-season also taking them to China, Norway and Wales, has scored 42 United goals in 96 appearances over his two seasons.
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