Inter sign Lukaku to end protracted transfer saga

Antonio Conte finally got his man.

Inter Milan confirmed the signing of Romelu Lukaku from Manchester United on Thursday, inking the Belgian striker to a five-year contract.

After falling short of United's valuation earlier in the summer, the Nerazzurri sealed the deal with an offer reportedly worth £70 million with add-ons. Confirmation of the move ends one of the summer's most protracted transfer sagas, which saw a detour that involved Juventus and Paulo Dybala.

The Red Devils, who reportedly spurned Inter's £54-million bid in July, were said to be engaged in talks with their bitter rivals Juve over a swap deal that would've sent the creative Argentine to Old Trafford. But when Dybala's excessive wage demands scuppered a potential move, Inter re-emerged.

"Inter were the only club I wanted," Lukaku said upon completion of the big-money transfer.

The Italian side's chief executive, Beppe Marotta, said earlier in the window he believed the club's first formal offer was enough to get a deal done, but when push came to shove, he ponied up to deliver Conte the player he's been trying to sign since his days as Chelsea manager.

For his part, Lukaku's desire to leave Manchester has never been in question. He worked out with former club Anderlecht earlier this week, reportedly incurring a fine from United for skipping training.

Just like his new manager, the 26-year-old's desired outcome finally came to fruition.

Meanwhile, the future of incumbent No. 9 Mauro Icardi remains up in the air. The arrival of Lukaku should help facilitate Icardi's departure; the Argentine striker, Inter's former captain, has already been told by Conte, in no uncertain terms, that he's not part of the club's plans moving forward.