Conte getting closer in chase to sign up Lukaku

INTER Milan boss Antonio Conte is hopeful of finalising a deal for Manchester United striker Romelu Lukaku in the coming days.

The Italian club have been chasing Lukaku all summer and have reportedly returned with a fresh bid of around £65 million as they try to get the deal over the line.

They have until September 1 to sign the Belgium striker, who has not played a single minute of United’s pre-season campaign, and Conte is hopeful of bringing the 26-year-old to the San Siro.

“We continue to work on it in the best possible way,” he said after his side drew 1-1 at Tottenham in a pre-season friendly.

“I understand there are some gaps that need to be filled but at the moment I am very hopeful that this will happen.

“At the same time I’m working with a great group of players that gives me lots of satisfaction.”

An obstacle in Inter’s chase of the Belgian would be a possible swap deal between United and Juventus that could see Paulo Dybala move to Old Trafford in exchange for Lukaku, although yesterday it was reported their pursuit of the Argentinian was over.

“I don’t know,” the former Chelsea boss added. “I’m reading (about) this swap in the papers. For sure Lukaku, we are talking about a good player, a striker that in the past I tried to buy when I was Chelsea’s coach.

“We’re talking about two big clubs, Juventus and Inter Milan, but honestly I don’t know. Only my way is to work with this group of players, to try to improve this group and instil the right mentality.”