Report: Inter hoping to sign Lukaku after dumping Icardi

Inter want to finance a deal for Manchester United striker Romelu Lukaku by selling Mauro Icardi, according to the Guardian's Fabrizio Romano.

Negotiations reportedly rest on the Argentine's departure, which is far from certain given the £60 million (€67 million) the Nerazzurri are looking to recoup.

Juventus could offer the 26-year-old an escape route, but it's unclear if newly appointed manager Maurizio Sarri would sanction a move for the player.

If Inter manage to get their former captain off the books, Romano believes the Italians would ready an offer for Lukaku, who's openly flirted with a move to Serie A.

"Playing in Serie A is a dream," he told Sky Sports in April. "I would hope to be able to play (there) sooner or later, even if at the moment I am focused on United."

Inter manager Antonio Conte would welcome the Belgian international with open arms. Conte reportedly made a push to sign Lukaku while in charge of Chelsea, but the west London side balked at agent Mino Raiola's demands and pulled the plug on the transfer.

He eventually joined United for a reported £75 million in 2017.

After a quick start to life at Old Trafford, Lukaku lost his scoring touch and his place in the starting lineup. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who replaced Jose Mourinho in December, favored Marcus Rashford in the center-forward role.

Lukaku was limited to just 15 goals in all competitions last season.