Antonio Conte is moving ever closer to becoming Inter’s new head coach for next season, according to Gazzetta dello Sport.

Beppe Marotta has been courting the Italian for weeks after identifying him as the perfect man to take the Nerazzurri closer to Juventus in Serie A.

And after initially expressing some reluctance, Inter’s owners Suning and president Steven Zhang now agree it is time to move on from current coach Luciano Spalletti.

“The last few weeks have persuaded those within the club who were skeptical that a coaching change would not only be beneficial, but necessary,” the Milanese paper reported today.

“Marotta is now trying to seal the deal so that Inter don’t risk losing out to Juventus if they were to part company with Max Allegri.”

Conte is interested in accepting Inter’s offer after being offered reassurances both of a financial and sporting nature.

The former Chelsea boss would want a three-year deal with a salary of €10 million per season, as well as the chance to compete for silverware immediately.

Inter are willing to satisfy both requests, with sporting director Piero Ausilio already at work to secure players who would fit Conte’s philosophy in the summer transfer window.