Romelu Lukaku has been linked with a move to Inter Milan with striker Mauro Icardi and midfielder Radja Nainggolan available, sparking rumours either player might be involved in a swap deal with Manchester United.

Inter’s CEO, Giuseppe Marotta, confirmed that they were at work in the transfer market when asked about Lukaku, and that the two players were for sale.

The transfer market is a work in progress. We are working hard to get the best squad possible for the new season. We are ambitious and want the best team possible. We also must find ways to respect all financial perimeters too. We cannot rush things because that can lead to mistakes. We have clear ideas but we need to be patient. We have important goals and transfer targets in mind.

Nainggolan and Icardi? We need clarity and transparency. They’re great players and talent, but it’s not enough. They are not part of our project, I say this with transparency and respect. Icardi is on the market. But we respect the contractual agreements.

Icardi has scored 124 goals in 219 appearances for Inter but has fallen out of favour with the club after falling out with the fans and being branded a trouble maker after the club failed to meet his contract demands.

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Lukaku returned to United training a day early and is currently with the squad in Perth for the pre-season tour. The striker’s agent confirmed last week that Inter were trying to sign him and that he was keen to move.

It was just a chat. I spoke with the director [Giuseppe Marotta] to understand the club’s intentions with the player. They will take the decisions, we can’t put a time frame on it. ‘What is clear is that if Inter want the player, they will need to get a move on. Inter are seriously trying to sign him, they are all out for him. Goals are not always there to be reached, but it’s a declared target. At the moment, it remains a complicated dream.