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Manchester United transfer news: Romelu Lukaku move conditional of why Antonio Conte took Inter Milan job

Former Chelsea manager attempted to replace Diego Costa with Lukaku at Stamford Bridge and has made him the priority signing for his new-look Inter team

Miguel Delaney
Chief Football Writer
Friday 31 May 2019 11:45 BST
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Antonio Conte has told the Inter Milan hierarchy that Romelu Lukaku is a priority signing, and it is understood the potential purchase was part of his negotiations for the new managerial job at the San Siro.

The Italian was on Friday confirmed as the newly-wealthy Serie A club’s new coach, marking a return to football a year after leaving Chelsea, amid a lot of success but also some acrimony. Those difficulties actually stemmed from the summer of 2017, when Conte wanted to strengthen the then-champions by replacing Diego Costa with Lukaku.

A deal could not be done due to difficulties with the player’s agent Mino Raiola - who Chelsea still refuse to work with - and he ended up at Manchester United, when many felt Stamford Bridge was Lukaku’s preference.

Conte now wants to address this with the Belgian one of his major signings in what is likely to be an assertive summer from Inter. United would be open to negotiation, especially as Lukaku’s status as a starter has slipped in the last season, and they want to improve in other areas.

A swap deal has been mooted, but United would prefer Milan Skriniar and cash rather than Jose Mourinho target Ivan Perisic. Inter had similarly been interested in Alexis Sanchez but it is likely they will only do one of the deals.

Speaking after his appointment, Conte explained why he has elected to return to management with Inter, having previously guided Juventus to three straight Serie A titles.

"A new chapter in my life is beginning, I'm really excited," Conte said. "Through my work, I'll try to repay all of the trust that the president and directors have placed in me.

"I have chosen Inter because of the club it is, because of the project's sound basis and how ambitious it is. Because of Inter's history.

"I was struck by the club's transparency and the desire to bring Inter back to where it belongs."

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