Antonio Conte has confirmed he would like Romelu Lukaku at Inter and that both Mauro Icardi and Radja Nainggolan remain out of his plans.
Manchester United will face Inter without Lukaku on Saturday, amidst speculation of a move for the striker, whereas while Nainggolan has travelled to Singapore for the International Champions Cup, Icardi has been left behind.
“You know I like Lukaku, but he's a Manchester United player,” Conte said at a Press conference.
Antonio Conte has confirmed he would like Romelu Lukaku at Inter and that both Mauro Icardi and Radja Nainggolan remain out of his plans.
Manchester United will face Inter without Lukaku on Saturday, amidst speculation of a move for the striker, whereas while Nainggolan has travelled to Singapore for the International Champions Cup, Icardi has been left behind.
“You know I like Lukaku, but he's a Manchester United player,” Conte said at a Press conference.
“I got to know him very well from my time as Chelsea Coach. I consider him an important player for us, but at the same time there's the market.
“We know very well what our situation is at the moment and we'll see what happens. but for now Lukaku is a United player.
“Tomorrow we have an important match, but at this level it's difficult to consider it a friendly and it will be the same for them too.
“Our preseason is going well, I hope to see improvements from my team. The situation with Icardi is clear, like it is with the club. He isn't part of the Inter project.
“The club were also clear about Nainggolan too. He's also out of our project.”
The former Juventus Coach then admitted he had 'expected' the Nerazzurri to already have brought in some new forwards.
“It's not easy to play against teams like Manchester United and Juventus without strikers at the start of the season, but the market is still open and we're assessing players to buy and sell. Against Manchester United I'll play without strikers.
“It's difficult to predict the market: we need to streamline the squad and put together a group of players.
“The club and I have the same vision. I'm confident, even though I expected us to be further ahead.”
Finally, the 49-year-old was pressed on his plans to turn Ivan Perisic into a left wingback.
“Perisic is a player who has specific characteristics and I want to understand if he can play in the position I have in mind for him.
“We have time to assess him and see if he can do what I want from him.”