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Conte quiet on Lukaku as Inter search for striker
SINGAPORE, July 19, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Inter Milan coach Antonio Conte
expressed frustration Friday at his new side’s lack of attacking options but
played down reports of an imminent deal for striker Romelu Lukaku “out of
respect for Manchester United”.
The former Juventus and Chelsea manager took over at the San Siro club at
the end of May but has struggled to overhaul a bloated squad in preparation
for the Champions League campaign and a tilt at the Serie A title.
Belgian striker Lukaku has been strongly linked in the media with a move
from Old Trafford to Italy.
But Conte refused to dwell on reports of his frustration at being unable
to land the 26-year-old forward due to a disagreement over the transfer fee.
“Lukaku is Manchester United’s player. This is the reality. I have always
liked this player, even when I was Chelsea coach and I tried to sign him
then, but he is not my player as of now,” Conte told reporters in Singapore
on the eve of a pre-season friendly between the clubs.
“I can’t talk about him out of respect for Manchester United. He would be
an important player for us and improve the squad, so we have to see what will
happen,” added the Italian, shortly after United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
confirmed Lukaku would miss the match because of injury.
“It’s not easy to start the season without strikers but the market remains
open and players will have to come in and go out. But the current situation
will mean our upcoming matches will be difficult without forwards,” Conte
said.
Confirming that out-of-favour forward Mauro Icardi and midfielder Radja
Nainggolan were both “out of the project”, Conte is looking forward to the
big challenge ahead of him despite struggling to instigate a fast flow of
transfers.
“We are enthusiastic to start this new project but we are a little bit
behind in terms of where I would like us to be on this journey down a long
road,” he said.
“The transfer delays have made life difficult but we have to also sell
some players as well as buying them. I have spoken to the owners and they are
aware we need to act quickly.”
BSS/AFP/BZC/1945HRS