Inter cannot meet Manchester United’s €83 million asking price for Romelu Lukaku, Gazzetta dello Sport again reported today.
The Nerazzurri made an offer this week worth €65 million in total, but with payment split into several installments.
United have not responded officially yet but Inter are pessimistic about agreeing a deal for Lukaku, despite the forward’s absence from today’s friendly match in Singapore.
“It’s impossible for the Zhang family to reach the fee United are asking for,” Gazzetta said this morning.
“Inter have therefore had no choice but to start evaluating alternative options.”
Talks have begun with Lille for their 20-year-old forward Rafael Leao, who has been compared to Kylian Mbappe and is worth €40 million.
Juventus and Napoli are also interested in the Portuguese under-21 international, creating yet another obstacle for Inter to overcome.
Ante Rebic has different physical and technical characteristics to Lukaku and does not convince the Nerazzurri, while Edinson Cavani is a separate issue altogether.
El Matador is not a forward Inter are considering at present, but Beppe Marotta and Piero Ausilio will be ready if they spot an opportunity to sign him from Paris Saint-Germain.
Cavani only has one year left on his deal with the French champions and might therefore be available for a relatively cheap fee.
